From Ashes to Art Shows

I could hear the disappointment in her voice when I told her that I was considering NOT going to spend my junior year abroad in London. “It might set me back an entire year,” I tried to explain. “That won’t matter once you’ve done it,” she replied, “It’s a chance of a lifetime.” I knew she was probably right, but the thought of another year of college – I promised I would think about it. My Guidance Counsellor agreed with her. “I’ve directed you in plays,” he began, “you’re not like the others.” “They’re never going to leave this town,...

“Beware, it’s a scam!!” As soon as I posted that I was going to go to London, well-meaning, but very dramatic artists started to “warn” me about the gallery. “It’s just a Vanity Gallery!” they exclaimed, “they’ll just take your money and run!” Those were the “nice” comments. The Snootier Artists went off about how “you’re not a real artist if you display there!” I thanked them for their concern and explained my choice to those that mattered… and just ignored the rest (Remembering that I was called out as “Ordinary” while I was preparing for the show in Beverly...

“How can you be a good parent, if you don’t make sacrifices for your children?” The excitement in her voice was palpable as we discussed the plans for the trip to London. My son’s friend kept saying “sure, uh huh” to joining us on this trip, but it wasn’t confirmed until only a few weeks ago. He kept telling me that his parents were “thinking about it” so I had to keep the space open to the POSSIBILITY of him going, all while still moving ahead with plans for just my son and me (booking accommodations through VRBO for three...

I am grateful for the good things that came out of bad times. I made a very a conscious decision to remain kind. It would’ve been too easy to become bitter. No one would blame me if I blamed someone or something else. By coming out of the fire, to bring others the light, I win. We all win. One of my proudest achievements came from opening my mouth. I could’ve also moved on from a church I had been involved with, letting go of old memories. Instead, I chose to speak up. “I noticed that there’s a group for...

It’s getting real. A lot of people let their dreams die when they “wake up” and realize just how much work has to get done. In the middle of booking hotels, emailing the gallery and scrambling to get my kid’s passport, I took a moment to take it in… this is really gonna happen. Now there are a lot of head winds, but I’ve been up against much more than this, and those were BAD situations. THIS… this THIS… is going to be one of those shining moments that I (and hopefully my son) will cherish for the remainder of...