Feeling Connections

It's a beautiful sunny Thursday morning and Jason is still asleep on the couch.

'I did it Ethel, the dress is mine.' After writing yesterday, I went to the gym downtown and worked out with weights. As I left, I decided to run a little. 50 minutes and some 5 miles later, I was home.

I did not plan on running all the way home as I had not run like that in a while. I kept telling myself, I want to say those words, "I did it Ethel the dress is mine." The only way it felt appropriate was to run home. Halfway through I struggled, but then I remembered my track coach saying, 'keep your eyes 10 feet in front of you.' All of a sudden, I remembered my yoga teacher named Pretzel, saying 'this to shall pass.' I remembered my angel Sam who helped me through the LA marathon. I thought of my sister Moni, whom I had run many races with before. I thought of Jason and his great love for me. I thought of Mr. Yurak, my other angel who cared for me when no one else did. I thought of my family who has been supportive, loving, and generous. I thought of friends and strangers who have helped me throughout life. I felt an amazing sense of gratitude. I felt alive! I kept running and before I kenw it, I was home. It felt AMAZING!!!!!

The piece here is titled 'Homecoming Mona.' It is a portrait of my younger sister Moni whom I have amdired a great deal. The piece is taken from a photo of her winning Homecoming Queen. She was also a track star in high scool, thus the sneaker on one foot. After running the LA marathon, she too said that my angel Sam helped her through the race. I won't forget that moment.

As I ran, I thought of my Little Girls. I thought of how I have struggled with some of them, yet I have pushed through. I can see now that in those moments when I have struggled to paint, I had the magic of all those people who have shaped my life. And in the end, after struggling with these Little Girls, I would dance around the house feeling just as AMAZING as I had felt yesterday after my run. I think it's about feeling a 'connection.'

Today, may you go out into the world with an open spirit and allow the magic of feeling 'connections.'

Cheers!