The Art of Connection in a Life Split in Two
I now live in a world of before and after. Living with life’s self-inflicted wounds and scars, im paying attention more closely than before I lost my son.
Knowing that you are surviving the worst nightmare imaginable, is not for the faint of heart. I do not say this to promote or brag about how strong I am, I have said before, I do not feel strong. But there is comforting empathy when you connect with another person who has been through their fare share of shit.
This is all about visuals, and first impressions. When I first saw the VizartInk booth at a Christmas Market, it caught the corner of my eye, and I made an immediate beeline to get a better look. I saw great line drawn pictures of military, the Seattle skyline, Van Goh’s Starry Night, first responders, so many pieces of art to look at, and so many different themes!!
I realized after talking to the gentleman working, they were brothers, and they both supported the heck out of each other. Great guys, that had each other’s best interests at heart. The artist brother was away from the booth, and his brother told me to come back and pick up my art before leaving the show and he’d have it signed for me. When I picked up my photo, the artist, Greg, immediately thanked me with a hug and a handshake! He showed me where he signed the metal artwork piece and then proceeded to show me the art his brother makes. This caught me smiling because of how much they were both so proud and supportive of each other. Maddi and Will were like that too. Makes my heart feel good having that memory of my kids loving each other. And in the next moment, after I remember that she no longer gets those moments, I die a little more inside.
But I did what my heart and soul told me to do and I bought another one of his pieces for my daughter and her boyfriend for housewarming. The Seattle skyline! They just moved out of state, so it’s perfect!
Connections are what make me smile now. I love being able to create lifelines and help promote platforms that I love. I do enjoy watching great people succeed and if I can help in anyway, it makes me feel ok for a moment.
When I wear their gear, I know people see it. When I give pieces of their art to my loved ones, I guess I am connecting my before and after to their right now.
Thanx for being here.
XOXO
BRI
When I’m lost for words. When I’m struggling to see what my purpose is, I honestly seek her out. Jess, you may not know this: I look up to you. You are one of my idols. To work in the environment you have, and to come out on the other side with more grit and grace and gumption than what you probably started out with so many years ago as a rookie police woman.