CANCER JOURNEY--BOWL OF LEMONS Editor's Note: The CCEA Cancer Support Group meets on a semi-regular basis at the home of Marie Hyepock (for information, please contact Marie at mhyepock@gmail.com or see the Cancer Support Group page on the CCEA Women's Website--cceawomen.org). The meeting this month was cancelled due to health issues. By way of encouragement, we are pleased to introduce you to a gifted artist, Crystal Maes. Crystal chose to document her journey from cancer diagnosis to victory in a series of paintings. Please go to her website, www.crystalmaes.com, to see her full message of honesty, truth and hope through this most pronounced of life changes.
"I have cared for you since you were born. Yes I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime--until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you." Isaiah 46:3b-4
oil on panel, 36 x 36 inches
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I spent a lot of time thinking about what this journey—this detour in my life—meant to me. As an artist I decided to tell my story through painting. I visualized each process of the emotional and physical challenges I encountered. It became obvious to me—life was handing me a big bowl of lemons and it was up to me to determine what I was going to do with it. So I painted it.
The image on this page is protected under copyright. Crystal Maes, 2018.
Used by permission of the artist, Crystal Maes, 2018