Wednesday, December 31, 2008



Is it really the end of December? I always look forward to this time of year...the crush of holidays over, the sun starting to show itself more.

But this has been a very tough month personally. My dear friend Jill Landers died on December 14th, from metastatic breast cancer, 11 years after her first diagnosis. She was only 51, and truly an inspiration in her life and in her death.


I spent many hours in the past 2 months with her, just watching tv with her, rubbing her feet, holding her hand, sometimes just reading/singing to her. I felt so lucky to have that time with her...relieving her husband so he could run errands, etc.


I'm so glad that I had that time, but also glad I had this journal project to keep me focused. I absolutely had to finish the edging on this piece today. Anyway, this is not my favorite piece technically or aesthetically, but emotionally it is right on! The sun will triumph, as will hope. The darkness will be pushed back, as will despair. This snippet is part of of my determination, which you can see in full in my blog here:

5 comments:

heidibeads said...

I love charlottes too. Your use of a button for the sun is great and the heat coming off it is warming my heart. We could use some of that sunshine right now since it snowed all day today and a few days ago it was almost 60. Happy New Year.

beadbabe49 said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, margaret, and I'm happy that the bjp kept you focused on the next beautiful thing to create.

a2susan said...

I think your piece beautifully represents the conflict between life and death, light and dark, with your depiction of Hope. I am so sorry for the death of your dear friend.
Hugs, Susan

flyingbeader said...

I love this piece in it's simplest visual impact. After reading about your friend's passing, it made sense that you are the far reaching rays of the Sun is the true love you had for your friend during the last journey of her life.

dot

Julie said...

I like your piece.Im so sorry for your loss. 51 is way to young to die. I am glad you could spend time with herfor her sake and yurs. Julie C