I am verging on being at my new school for a month. Im enjoying it a great deal. And now that its looking like the job is going to stick, Im feeling very introspective about the last year and a half. Its no secret that its been a very difficult time. Times have been lean. There have been times when I have been hungry. Never for long. And I know that many, many have I worse than I did. Despite the difficulty, I feel very very grateful for the last few years. I had been semi - estranged from my friend Heath. But when he found out what I was going through, he took me into his home. Because of my difficulty, Our friendship has been restored. A guy I never met before, at the suggestion of a mutual friend, hired me to do a great deal of yard work. We enjoyed our conversations and have been hanging out ever since. Because of my difficulties Ive become good friends with Jeff Lake and his son Justin Lake Latture. There are so many friends that helped me in any number of ways. Karen hired me regularly (even when the work wasnt that necessary) Shane helped with my phone. Kenny also had the occasional job for me. Gary and James were the ones who referred me to Jeff. Michael, Mary, Shane Sprankel , Nellie, Dave, Billy, and Christine insisted on paying me for help I would have gladly done for free. I never would have never tried to sell my art if I hadnt really needed the money. But in the last year and a half I have sold 26 pieces. Margaret was the first to buy a piece. Sunshine funded my coloring book. Even my old boss (and now friend) Tammy hired me to do art at my old school. And now, thanks to Dan and Joe, Im able to continue making art for awhile without needing to rely on commissions. None of this even begins to touch on the countless messages, calls, and words of support Ive gotten from my countless cheerleaders who gave unending encouragement. This has left me feeling loved and valued and cared for. Im not even scratching the surface. So many people have been so kind. I feel so lucky. This time could have been miserable. It could have been painful. I could have been broken by it. Instead I feel closer to people than ever before. I feel supported. I feel like the universe threw me the exact lessons I needed. I thank the Grand Whatever for the privilege and gift of the last year and a half.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 02:59:50 +0000