How long has it been?

Posted on | October 13, 2008 | 2 Comments

My goodness. I can’t remember the last time I posted. It’s been a while. Sorry for worrying some of you, but I’m doing OK. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and relax it’s time for a catch-up post.

Last week I had my treatment. It was a difficult one. I’m just starting to feel better, but I’m still quite fatigued and having some of the negative effects of it.

Catalyst 30 - The decision to go to Brandeis University has shaped my life.

CreativeTherapy Catalyst 30: What’s a decision you made that ended up determining the direction of your life? (Or at least had a strong effect on how your life turned out.)

This one was easy for me to choose. The decision I made that shaped the rest of my life happened 23 years ago. I decided to leave Florida and attend Brandeis University, in Waltham, MA. I had only seen pictures of Brandeis. I had never been on campus, and I had an alumni interview in Miami. The day I arrived at Brandeis was the first time I had actually seen it. It was magical. From the beginning, the first thing I saw was the Usen Castle. It is a remnant of Middlesex college, which the property originally came from. Another important symbol for me at Brandeis was the Chapel Pond. It is a reflection pond, surrounded by three chapels. They were constructed so that at no time does one chapel overshadow another. The chapels are a symbol of the unity of all religions and tolerance. For me, they were a place of peace. I would often sit on the wall around the reflection pool and write or think.

Attending Brandeis really did shape the rest of my life. I met some of my best friends there. I felt safe, I grew as a person, and I found my voice through writing. It was because of my decision to go to Brandeis and to be involved in campus activities that I landed my first job out of college, I had the skills to get a second job, and I met my husband. The greatest joys of my life are the result of this decision.

Technique Highlight: Pen and ink with watercolor washes on 90# watercolor paper.

Catalyst 31 - Book that impacted my life

Catalyst 31: What novel or book impacted your life and why?

I don’t remember how old I was when I first read Death Be Not Proud. The book is filled with wisdom about living your life with courage and with purpose, taking every advantage you can in the limited time we all have. It’s part of how I personally have lived my life with chronic illness.

Technique Highlight: Background: 140# CP Watercolor paper sprayed with Color Mists. Scrapbook paper cut up and doodled on; text written by hand of a quote from John Gunther’s book, Death Be Not Proud.

There’s more to share, but I’ll save it for tomorrow. Have a great week!

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