a bright new year

 

 This year my heart is deeply rooted in creativity.

Welcome 2015.

I'm about to circle the sun 

painting my heart out through each new season.

 

In 1998 I was diagnosed with an extremely rare,

fatal disease and flatly told to go home,

place my paper work in order and begin doing

"all the things I had ever dreamed of".

 

 

I had a child to raise, responsibilities, 

a life to live.

Somewhere along that dark road

as I began to deteriorate

I remembered standing in the bedroom of

Frida Kahlo

so many years ago when my life was still an

 unfurling of all things possible.

I leaned over her bed and caught my reflection

in the giant mirror her father had hung above her;

opening an entire universe when

her broken body could only

navigate the contours of a bed.

He brought her paints, canvas, possibilities,

encouragement, and most importantly,

unleashed a lifetime of

passion and wonder.

 

 

Fast forward to my unraveling life.

I vowed I would learn to paint when I could no longer walk.

 Something to look forward to when the vitality of a once healthy body

was confined to a wheel chair.

Somewhere along the long saga of specialists, 

a growing history of profoundly depressing

windowless meeting grounds of "inborn errors"

I thought about the absence of what might serve 

so many on this mysterious path;

hope, encouragement, beauty, color, the dance of light and shadow 

in bold strokes of vitality and wonder.

 

 

This year I am dedicating myself

to creating a body of work

 to hang in dreary hallways of infusion centers,

MDA clinics,windowless walls where people 

wait seemingly alone,

so often for the most difficult news;

never wanting to lose sight of the impossible.

This year I am going to paint my heart out.

When 2015 comes to an end

I will gift a years body of work

to lift the hearts of others faced with the impossible.

yes. i. will.

 

Here's the inherent beauty of such a bold promise,

I do not plan to make this journey alone.

Through the visionary support of Genzyme

and their belief that people

who suffer the limitations of rare diseases

continue to carry important dreams and aspirations;

created a scholarship program;

 Chart Your Own Course

 to assist in manifesting their goals.

I am so grateful to have been chosen as one of 

eight recipients this year.

I cannot begin to express my gratitude

in receiving this monumental gift of support.

One of the most difficult aspects

of a rare disease 

is the isolation that grows

as ones physical abilities decline.

Genzyme's support

will go far in launching my year of painting,

so that together,

we will encourage, inspire and transcend limitations.

Together we will share a dream of

making a bright difference in the world around us.

 

 

 

Comments

[Stephanie]

good morning my sweet inspirational you...

I believe I may be able to join you on this journey, painting with others all around the world and watching you create your beautiful legacy to brighten the walls and the lives of those in the infusion center

x...x

[Janet]

Awesome! I love it! This is a great idea Rebecca!

[Nonnie]

wow! I did not know this about you. what a fighter you are! I admire your delightful project. I know that these images would cheer me up. may our blessed Mother guide your hands and the hands of others who will be helping.
love and hugs,
Nonnie

[Kate Robertson]

Rebecca,

I am taking Flora's class this time. I wanted to invite you to come over to my site on Friday's. I have started a link day for all forms of creativity, painting, poetry, photography, etc. Here is last weeks link. http://thequeenofcreativity.blogspot.com/2015/01/express-your-creativity-week-2.html

Kate

[Fran aka Redondowriter]

You are such an inspiration to me, Rebecca. I'm delighted to hear about your intention for 2015 and I look forward to hearing more about Brave Intuitive You. I am so sorry that going to your Easter workshop won't work for me work-wise and because I also am attending the Spiritual Directors International Conference in Louisville in the spring. But, I'm aiming for the October trip to San Miguel, if at all possible.

[Minoru]

Hi! Very colorful and peaceful paintings. They made me happy too. Thanks for sharing.

[Lea]

All the ways you have shared with me and others has given me the opportunity to find my own passion for painting and expression again... first with expressing huge grief and loss and changes with just a few small words every Friday... to stepping on planes and hugging for real, to clicking on internet links and expanding my world... like a nova comet, you have blazed a path into my heart... forever.

[Jrruskamp]

May God bless you and your year of painting!! Are you familiar with Pope John Pall II's letter to artists? I haven't read it but do have a copy of it. Maybe you'd be interested. I could find a link to it.

[Patricia]

Blessings of healing to you Rebecca. I'm looking forward to following your journey here, and on FB too! Peace to you <3

[Jan Davis]

Thank you for sharing...your thoughts and dreams and art. Big big hug!

[Terri]

What a wonderful project Rebecca. Thank you for sharing your light with all of us!

[Karen Gerstenberger]

I want you to know that, because of your courage (your brave, loving, true "coeur"), today I am on my way to spend four days Blooming True with Flora Bowley. Your writing about your adventure with her sparked the dream in me, and the day has come. Thank you! And God bless your project with Genzyme's support. I have long felt that what you are about to create is desperately needed in every medical environment. With gratitude and love to you -
Karen