Well, I have to say that 2017 had it’s share of painful and joyful moments.  We lost our dear friend Dave from cancer.  Missing him still hurts, I still end up curled in a ball of loss on occasion, but not nearly as often as I used to.  I still feel him giving me a nudge of motivation when I least want it, but when I need it most.  Dave’s like that.  Still though, I do miss the physical guy, the one I could hug, the crusty old Dave that we all loved.  Loss is like that you know, it hurts, it eases somewhat, somehow, but you still feel it.  I still want to stomp my feet on occasion, “No fair, I want him back!” But it doesn’t really change anything, except maybe to make me look like a 2 year old, but maybe sometimes you just have to be 2.

The most joyful moments though have been with my little grandson Brigsley.   Just being with him brightens my world, even on bad days.  This Granny thing is pretty amazing.  The love I have for this little boy is just as intense as the love I have for my daughters.  It is however more free. You see, I don’t have to raise a little human.  I’m not exhausted.  I’m not worried.  I don’t have to do anything but love this little guy, and how freeing is that?  Just love.  Love in it’s purest form.

Art classes.  How I love teaching them!  It’s not something that I planned, not something I even thought about, it just happened.  A push from the universe, actually a shove.  I showed someone my art journals and it just happened.  I became a part of a group of amazing, giving, healing women.  Before I knew it I was writing a Bio and having my make-up done and then a picture taken.  Then it was on to teaching a class so very dear to my heart, Painting Your Inner Goddess at Middletown Wellness Collaborative.  You see, I find art very healing and I am happiest when I’m making art.  Art has a way of saying exactly what it needs to, whether I want it to or not.  Once I was really angry at my ex-husband and the angel I was painting ended up with really, huge wings of fire, and she was mad!  Totally unplanned, but extremely satisfying.

I painted  two 6X6 paintings for  Artists For World Peace .  What a great organization, you should check it out.  They are raising money to pay for Native American’s eye care.   I was very excited to donate my art to this cause.  I did however get very attached to one of my paintings.  It was hard to let it go.  So I decided I would get to the sale early and buy my painting back! Brilliant idea right?!  I got there early, but it was already sold.  It was a bittersweet moment for me.

I could go on and on, but I won’t.  I look forward to a new year of hope, peace and love……Goodbye 2017   Welcome 2018!