Keeping the Faith

My oldest daughter, Bailey will graduate in June. She has had her struggles with Asperger's and there were times that I was afraid she would need more time; perhaps she would not graduate with her class. She is on track and has made Merit Honor Roll this year to boot. She has worked, so very hard to get where she is and although she still has a ways to go in different areas and may need a helping hand in others ~ she is doing just fine.


I find myself reflecting on my own High School Graduation and how my parents told me, that it would mark the start of my adult life. My life would never be the same. I look back again to the day that I walked into Art School, in Lake Placid. Other than painting lessons as a kid, I was self taught in all the other media. How would this change my life? I learned that it did not change my gift, it gave me knowledge to better direct me and improve upon it. Foundations were better laid, but I still had to do all of the work...and work very hard.


I have found that like all changes that we put in motion, most of it comes from within. We have to put in the work and hold hands with Ambition to move forward with it. It is a tougher journey to make a living at this..really make a living. I have trusted that if I do the work that I love, the money would come. All I have asked for is to have "enough" financially. I am thankful for my parent's who gave my children and I, a roof over our heads and food  in lieu of helping them and care giving for several years. At times, I could not work as I would have liked to, but I did what was needed. As a single parent, without the aid of child support, my ability to make some kind of living for my children was dire. I still had to provide for my daughters' needs beyond what my parents provided in in helping with their own needs.


 I learned that life is about the simple things and we do not need every gadget that comes along. We are not defined by the car we drive and as long as it takes care of us, I don't care what it is. I don't need a new car or a constant car payment. I love my jeans and most of my clothes have coffee and paint stains on it... I couldn't be happier.  Sleeping on a Futon through these years still brings a giggle. It wasn't what I wanted, but it met my needs. I had what made me happiest, my girls, a family, a home and the ability to do what I loved for work. My girls have learned that although they may not have everything that some kids do, they have what they need. Both have learned to reach beyond and work for what they want. They seem well grounded.




Now I am watching another piece of me take off on it's own journey. I have drawn several designs for Monahan papers and have watched Stephanie work magic with them. Above, you will see a stamp that I had made from an unfinished sketch. Above that, is a rubber sheet full of the finished design as well as others. My work, is going forward in a way that I had never really thought as reachable yet. With this opportunity comes dreams and wishes. Mostly, it comes with Faith; that it will do well and be "enough" to keep a small, "Made in the USA", business thriving. Above all, I hope it continues to give me the ability to keep me working in my well forged bond of Faith and Ambition. Cheers Stephanie, and forward ho!