Hodgepodge Volume #1

Here’s my story, told in 4 parts — my ups and downs, my photos and outings and friends and frustrations. My family and loves and hates. My stories and thoughts and essays. My struggles and triumphs. It is a book of courage and strength and yes, a few pity parties.

I’m not editing journal pages or keeping anything back. I’m creating a story that many girls (and some boys!) have lived through, are starting or finishing. I’m putting something out there that says, “You are not alone.” Your struggles don’t need to be hidden. They are not weaknesses. Your emotions and thoughts and experiences are universal symptoms of the human condition.

Reading Spilling Open or Ordinary Sparkling Moments reminds me that I’m not the only person going through troubles. And I’m not the only one who dances with joy when serendipity happens. I want to help give hope to all those out there with no art experience that you, too, are an artist. Can create and paint and draw. That you don’t need to go to school for it. Yes, you need to read a lot and go to museums and do research and email your idols (most will answer, trust me). But more than that: you are worthy.

More than that, I want to help you along the way. So I’m including essays on my creative journey, going from a girl who didn’t think she had an artistic bone in her body to a woman who is a self-empowered writer and artist living the dream. A cynical girl who now lives in silver linings.

Included will be chapters and exercises from my various online workshops, peppered throughout like tiny presents.

A big reason for doing this are my Fibro sisters and brothers. Through sharing my experiences, I’ve met so many others living with chronic illnesses, and I want to give them gentle hugs. I want them to see they’re not alone. That life can be a celebration with flare-ups in between. And, to cast a wider net — to all those living with a dis-ease of any kind who use it to define themselves and limit their lives. Many of the journals deal with my own emergence from depression to elation (and yes, I still have bad days!).