It’s been four months since my last blog post. As many of you know the day after my last post, my mother had a massive stroke and I rushed to California on the first flight I could get. During her decline at a particularly difficult moment of miscommunication I said to her, “Mom, I don’t understand what you are trying to tell me, I don’t know what you want.” She responded with, “I’m trying to change your personality!!!!” Now at this point I’m thinking, good luck with that because I have been trying to change it for years without any luck! But the truth is, when I look back at the person I used to be, I have indeed changed my personality quite a bit. I am much more confident in who I am. I have more patience and understanding than I used to. I’m less concerned about what people think about me and I’m more interested in what I think about them. I want to be the “somebody” like in this photo-quote from hplyrikz.com.

besomebody_hplyrkzThis might come as a big surprise to some of you but I’m not a naturally optimistic person. (For those of you that really know me…. Not so much of a surprise huh?) “They” say that optimists live longer than the rest of us as if it’s simply a matter of waking up on the right side of the bed. But as any Pollyanna wanna-be like me knows, sometimes it’s hard to look on the sunny side with rose colored glasses! Some of us need a little help. That is the reason I make art. I want to make things that inspire people to remember that life is good and that there is hope. I want to make jewelry and artwork that is a tangible reminder that there is someone that believes in you and is sending good thoughts and prayers. Here is one that I made for my sister to act as a reminder that I love her. She is facing a tough fight with breast cancer but I am rooting for her and want her to “Rise like a phoenix from the ashes.”

Phoenix Rising

Phoenix Rising

My mom and best friend passed away. I was fortunate that my sister and I were by her side when she crossed over. I am grateful for the time I was able to spend with her while she was still lucid enough to understand and talk with me. I am also grateful that the time she was in pain and her mind was confused was short. I am so incredibly blessed to have kind, caring, wonderful friends and students, all of whom wished me well and didn’t complain about me taking off for our summer hiatus six weeks early. I have expressed many times that I think my students are a great group of friendly, talented, artists but the kindness that was showered on me in calls, texts and emails was amazing. My friends from Kaitlin’s Creative Cottage held space for me and flooded me with love. The Southern Arizona Alchemists showed me immense support. My California friends came through for me with such compassion and care. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you for being there for me! You have showed me by example the type of person my mother would be proud to change my personality into. Even in grief…. I’m going with happy!

"I'm Going with Happy!"

“I’m Going with Happy!”

Copyright © Mary M. Ehlers, Good Muse Designs 2016. All rights reserved.

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