“Sisters in Strength”
Happily, I sat chatting with the person who was unfortunate enough to get the middle seat on flight 1435 from Salt Lake City, Utah to Anchorage, Alaska, and then it happened. My heart stopped, the conversation ceased, and my life changed forever. Unbeknownst to me, this was just the beginning of the journey. I, at the age of 54, and in seemingly good health, suffered a heart attack and had 3 stents inserted 8 days prior to my 55th birthday. I, however, couldn’t allow Christmas to come in without a bang; bypass surgery was now part of my Christmas wish-list, whether, I had wished for it or not. With that moment in time, this journey has brought me here, sharing my experiences with you.
Many of you are probably wondering, “Why share this heartfelt endeavor (no pun intended - you can see I still have my humor) with you?” My answer is “It has been the love and friendship from some very important women that has helped me survive. Through these remarkable women, their ability to give more of themselves than they are already giving, I have regained my strength to recover, and the stamina to continue on. This love and friendship has made each day better than the previous.
I have not painted very much since my life changing experience, but that will soon end. I realize that my paintings are also a variation of the love and friendship that has been shared with me, and now it is time I continue to pass that light of friendship and love on to others. With these words I present my friendship and love to you. I dedicate this show to all of my friends; women who have, or are now fighting the battles of heart disease and all types of cancer, and to all those who have been touched by these life changing diseases through relation or friendship. It is a difficult journey that changes you from the inside out, and it is the difficult journeys, which makes us stronger. Petty things just aren't important any more. Life is a gift and must be appreciated. Friendship and love should never be taken for granted, so to all, who have shared their time, love, and friendship with me, I thank you.
This journey started months before my life changing experience. I attended a wedding where I met Julie; I created and presented her with a painting to thank her for opening her home to me and other wedding travelers. From her painting evolved "Sisters in Strength". "Sisters in Strength" has become my means of giving back and my mantra to be a part of something bigger than myself. “Sister in Strength” is available in digital prints, note cards, signed & numbered giclees and soon, tee shirts. My wish is to donate a percentage of "Sisters in Strength" products to Providence Alaska Cancer Center.
Many of you are probably wondering, “Why share this heartfelt endeavor (no pun intended - you can see I still have my humor) with you?” My answer is “It has been the love and friendship from some very important women that has helped me survive. Through these remarkable women, their ability to give more of themselves than they are already giving, I have regained my strength to recover, and the stamina to continue on. This love and friendship has made each day better than the previous.
I have not painted very much since my life changing experience, but that will soon end. I realize that my paintings are also a variation of the love and friendship that has been shared with me, and now it is time I continue to pass that light of friendship and love on to others. With these words I present my friendship and love to you. I dedicate this show to all of my friends; women who have, or are now fighting the battles of heart disease and all types of cancer, and to all those who have been touched by these life changing diseases through relation or friendship. It is a difficult journey that changes you from the inside out, and it is the difficult journeys, which makes us stronger. Petty things just aren't important any more. Life is a gift and must be appreciated. Friendship and love should never be taken for granted, so to all, who have shared their time, love, and friendship with me, I thank you.
This journey started months before my life changing experience. I attended a wedding where I met Julie; I created and presented her with a painting to thank her for opening her home to me and other wedding travelers. From her painting evolved "Sisters in Strength". "Sisters in Strength" has become my means of giving back and my mantra to be a part of something bigger than myself. “Sister in Strength” is available in digital prints, note cards, signed & numbered giclees and soon, tee shirts. My wish is to donate a percentage of "Sisters in Strength" products to Providence Alaska Cancer Center.
