I saw a car in Bowling Green, Ohio with license plate ZINNIA. Did not see the driver, but I imagined she was several years younger than me, full of busy confidence and combed her long hair with her fingers. She was on her way to the greenhouse because she needed more plants for the flower beds. Probably for the perennials that were on sale. Coneflowers, daylilies, bee balm, daisies...
Lack of membership finally closed the doors of St Sebastian's after a hundred years of spirit. Latin mass left in the 1970s. The townships children went away to college and never came back. The parents aged and went to the nursing home and then final settlement in the cemetery near the church. Most of the surrounding land was bought by corporation farmers who plow to the road. The old homes are slowly fading and losing their battle against weeds and shrubs and the wild. That hope and hard work of the settlers is finished. In the distance I can see the gravestones standing alone against the stark white of the church. Lonely and left, they will soon lean and wear away to the earth.
My drawings-
My MS life-several years ago in the winter, I had trouble with my thought processes and speech and communication. I also had headaches and became very depressed. I was convinced that I had a tumor, but my neurologist assured me that all this was part of my illness. Anyway, about that time, I started drawing. At first it was doodles, then abstract doodles that became more complex and intense. I am still compelled to draw everyday. Some drawings get painted or pen and inked. Bright colors. Imagined angles and shapes. I don't know where it comes from (I really know WHO it comes from) but it is a comfort to my brain. This winter, on our flight home from Florida, I learned another reason why. As the flight readied for departure, I was already drawing to pass time. The very helpful attendant, Karen, asked if the drawing was for her and I said "if you like". I soon finished the picture in black inks, and as we neared landing, I passed it to the attendant with name tag Karen, but she was the wrong one. Seems there was 2 Karen flight attendants. The other one appeared and I gave it to her. She thanked me with tears in her eyes and shared that she had lost a dear friend that very day and my drawing was a sweet gift. I still think of her as I draw daily and wonder if she is finding comfort for her loss. And say a prayer for her. God works in wondrous ways.
Karen worked on the Ft Lauderdale to Atlanta Southwest flight on February 26. Please be kind to her and other Karens.
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