Memorial

Original Mixed Media, 36″ x 18″

“I stood willingly and gladly in the characters of everything - other people, trees, clouds. And this is what I learned, that the world's otherness is antidote to confusion - that standing within this otherness - the beauty and the mystery of the world, out in the fields or deep inside books - can re-dignify the worst-stung heart.”

—Mary Oliver

This original was created in response to a holiday that often exacerbates deep loss by the endless commercials spreading consumer cheer. I see it for what it is; can someone really have that much joy shopping at Target? This image touches base on the dark night of the soul and how we need others and the worlds otherness to walk through the pain and with the pain in a healthy manner. My ongoing prayer for myself, family, friends, and others is that the darkness and light that lives within each of us may constitute a kind of dialogue that brings us into a deeper conviction that we are truly loved and not alone. That these seemingly little things in life start to collectively bring hope into view. Hope is never a straight line. There’s a Kroger clerk who is beyond creative with his conversations. Sometimes I laugh so hard that it totally erases the possibility of some gut punch later that day having the final say. For that I’m thankful. For those of you going through catastrophic loss my prayer is that God will meet you where you are, bringing comfort and rest along with a few good friends to unearth some hidden happiness.