The Early Years.

I feel I have had the gift of coping since I was very young. As an only child, and the fact that my parents moved 11 times before I was in 2nd grade meant, I did not have many friends that I hung out with for years until we moved to the small town I grew up in, at age 7. So drawing was a way for me to entertain myself. I loved drawing stories starting in 1st grade.

I was not the best student, academically. I had a very hard time spelling. So if I would get stressed in school I would calm myself by drawing a horse. It worked like a charm as a self soother. And yes I did have teachers that saw I was drawing and would ridicule me for not paying attention.

So when I was having to stay in the hospital while my mom was in ICU and she was unable to talk, I did not think I could go each day. It took me to pick up a sketchbook and a pencil and start drawing to give me something to look forward to each day. It started as one drawing a day. Then the drawings started having meaning to what was happening to mom and to myself during this crazy year. Each drawing took a little longer but they kept me sane for the next 6 months of 2015.

I wish someone would have written down what story I was trying to draw here. I loved drawing animals. I loved drawing farms.

I am pretty sure these dogs are Dachshunds with fluffy tails. I had a

dachshund for 10 years. Got her at age 5. I sure did love that dog.

#2015 #doodledrawings #caregiver #artist #Nashville #mother #healing #stress