diagnosis

Sometimes I do other things besides ride my bike and take pictures. Like this time. This is a soft sculpture done in fabric. If standing, she’d be about a foot tall. 

The courage to heal.
She has no name. Yet. I began her creation to represent an emotion from being diagnosed with breast cancer. 

Pain. 

I worked on her during the recent election, and also during the time we cared for our beloved aunt as she weakened and died. 

Pain.
As I worked on her, my thoughts focused on the boundaries between personal and communal pain, 

especially during this time of the disrespect shown to women. 

That awareness moved outward to include all sorts of pain felt by all sorts of people.
She is on her buckled knees, but she is not down. 

One day she will embrace the pain, rise, and heal.

Having walked that path, her healing will be shared with all.
Healing requires courage.