Mending and Tending to Me

                                                        Photo by Mor Shani on Unsplash

Relocating to NorCal healed me on many levels. My seven years here have proven to be the best years of my life. I got sober, lost 40 pounds and created the aforementioned Coloring Diva, a project whereby disadvantaged people could color at no cost, to allay their anxiety and/or depression. A proven form of art therapy, it would be a good addiction. A tool in the angsty artist's toolbox. I distributed kits countywide through my network (mostly AA folks) and nonprofits. It felt good to give.

Then along came Parkinson's, which stomped on my initiative around the Coloring Diva. While I focus on keeping the inexorable symptoms at bay, I'm giving myself a pass and permission to focus on me for now. I have faith that my little voice will provide further direction and insight when the time is right and until my final chapter. 

Disease or no disease, these are—and will continue to be—my best years. I try to remember that at every turn, every setback, every inevitable obstacle.

After all, a brand new year promises new beginnings for everyone, even little old me.