SPIRITED BIRDS WORKSHOP . . . We did it !!!

 

I was to start in April teaching the Spirited Birds Workshop in Kansas City but one day in March we sat in the oncologists office to learn that travelling and teaching was no longer going to be possible.

Seven and a half weeks ago I began herceptin and chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer.

It came out of the blue as a sore spot on my breast and within two months the diagnosis was confirmed. The cancer was agressive and urgent.

 

 

We postponed classes on Vancouver Island until spring of 2020 but Kansas City was scheduled to begin too close to cancel which meant it was time to get creative!

My friend and colleague Joyce Cloutman kindly agreed to be there to teach on my behalf. Our coordinator Donna Harryman kindly took the lead and let students know my news and gave them the option to withdraw or attend the class I would now prepare via video sessions with Joyce as facilitator.

 

 

I  then turned to the immediate task : create the video series of instruction and guidance for the week long sessions. Serendipitously as I finished this project I felt my energy decline, something I was told would come with chemotherapy.

I pressed send on my folder full of videos and class got underway.

 

 

I am so proud of the work everyone accomplished as well as the hearts that grew together during this time, I cannot express it well enough other than WE DID IT!!!

 

 

 

Those who know me know I love to teach, mostly because I love who my life touches through my teaching. My students and my coordinatiors are why I am this capable experienced person and the method that I rely on has been develpoed and tested with of all of you.

 

 

So . . . how interesting I am now going to be able to travel via a virtual teaching path and develop some on-line workshops !!

The images in this post are of some of the Spirited Birds and Spirit Riders the students created this past week, I am thrilled . . .

Three cheers for a big success!

 

 

 

p.s.

this has been an amazing journey and I am only at an early point along this road but I have to say that the love and kindness that has flooded into my life has been remarkable. Every turn I take brings me so much, I am often overwhelmed and words are never enough.

Thank you everyone xo

Not sure what to expect over the next set of tests but the road ahead is simply one that brings me healing and grace. This is not at all a fight for me, this is an acceptance and a learning about what matters in life.

As a friend and fellow figurative artist Leslie Keeble inspires me to remember https://piedmontcraftsmen.org/artist/lesley-g-keeble/

. . .  D O N ‘ T     P O S T P O N E    J O Y  . . .