Growing Stronger

It has been a long five weeks. I came down with the flu, then got bronchitis, then onto pneumonia. Fun times!

As I have begun to win the battle for health over the nasty illnesses that have plagued me, I was able to complete my pages for our first Illustrating Stories art exchange.

The words growing stronger mean many different things to me. The obvious one is the physical strength that is returning to me every day. But even more important is the strength that I am finding in myself.

For years (my whole life really) I have been who I needed to be based on the situation I was in.

I did not grow up in an artistic environment, so my desires to create were doused with the desire to be a part of the family. In college, I branched out, but still kept structure around my creative passion. I graduated with a graphic design degree, but my creative energy still had rules and conditions wrapped around it. I was designing for others and had to use my technical skills to give them what they wanted.

This pattern continued for 33 years, until I began to take control of my environment and surround myself with experiences and people that were true to who I really am.

The last two years have been a roller coaster of fun and also a little fear as for the first time I am becoming me. Pure joy!

Thank you for blessing my life with your creative strength and abilities, it makes me stronger everyday!