Saturday, May 16, 2015

Reveal Day:: Art of Awareness Blog Hop

It's a good thing I read
Lori Anderson's
post on Facebook yesterday.
I thought the reveal date was
Sunday!
Whew!

Anyway,
it's true.
There are so many things about which we are not aware.
We don't know the effects of so many conditions on the human body.
While we might think that this person or that person is
"odd,"
we might not know that they suffer from a serious chronic illness,
such as depression,
or that they suffer from a cancer we don't understand.

In my family, this is true.

Multiple myeloma is the cancer.
Clinical depression is the disease.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cell of the blood.
It's a devastating cancer, and, even though, by looking at a person who is afflicted with this disease,
you might not realize they are ill.  You might think their behaviors are odd.  
The medications they use to fight this cancer are extremely strong drugs.
Chemotherapy does nothing for this cancer.
Even the drugs that are part of the protocol for treatment might or might not help.
If they help, there is a point where they stop working.
The drugs have serious side effects, and it seems one of the side effects is on the emotions.
Anxiety is common for the person taking the drugs to battle this disease.
It's a tough fight.
You battle on so many different grounds.
Pray for the person who has this disease.  It's hard.  
Pray for anyone who has cancer.

Clinical Depression is a serious disease.
It is potentially life threatening and needs treatment.
If you are depressed, please go to the doctor!

I am honoring someone who has these diseases.
Because it is a family member, I will not mention their name.
This is a privacy issue.
However, if they read this blog, just know that I honor you for all of the battles you have fought and won!
It's been a struggle, but you are strong, brave, and full of courage!

The inspiration for these pieces comes from 
Proverbs 31:25

"Strength and dignity are her clothing,
    and she laughs at the time to come."

Using two of Heather's beads, I made two bracelets.
The beads don't seem to go together, but neither do the diseases go with those who suffer from them.

Yes,
"She laughs,"
and
"She smiles,"
suit her beautifully!



 






















In spite of it all, she laughs and she smiles.

Here  is a list of the other participants. 
Enjoy your hop! Hop! Hop!

Lori
Heather
Anderson
Millican
www.PrettyThingsBlog.com (hostess)
www.facebook.com/swoondimples (bead artist)
Candida Castleberry www.spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com
mischelle andrade https://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com
Paige Maxim http://delightfullittlegems.blogspot.com/
Laurie  Vyselaar  www.lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
Marybeth Rich http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/
Alice Peterson www.alice-dreaming.blogspot.com
Kim Dworak http://www.cianciblue.blogspot.com/
Audrey BĂ©langer http://esperianterra.blogspot.ca/
Karen mitchell www.overthemoon-design.com
Joan Williams www.lilrubyjewelry.com
Jean Wells jeanawells.blogspot.com
Ann Schroeder www.beadlove.wordpress.com
Gail Accinelli facebook.com/oregonmadejewelry
Tania Spivey www.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com
Mallory  Hoffman http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/
Mary K McGraw mkaymac.blogspot.com
Shai Williams www.shaihasramblings.com/
Beth Emery storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com
Catie Doman http://drcatie.blogspot.com
Lorelei Eurto Http://lorelei1141.blogspot.com
Lee Koopman www.stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Tammy Adams www.paisleylizard.com/blog/
Katie Nelson https://www.facebook.com/katiebead
Patty Miller http://pattymillerbeads.blogspot.com
Chris Eisenberg www.wanderware.blogspot.com
Cassi Paslick http://badatbeingmom.blogspot.com/
Charlee Griffith https://www.facebook.com/charlee.griffith
Kelli Nelson www.afamilyaffarekelli.blogspot.com
Catherine King http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com
Melissa Trudinger beadrecipes.wordpress.com
susan Bowie https://susanbowie.wordpress.com
Jennifer Justman www.soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/
Cassi Paslick http://badatbeingmom.blogspot.com/
K Hutchinson http://jumbledhutch.wordpress.com
Veralynne Malone www.veradesigns.blogspot.com
Evie and Beth McCord http://ebbeadandmetalworks.blogspot.com/
Mihaela Georgescu http://michellemaya2005.wordpress.com
Rebecca Anderso  Www.songbeads.blogspot.com
Charlene  jacka www.clay-space.com
Kim Stevens www.pickingpoppies.blogspot.com
Susan McClelland Mistheword12.wordpress.com
Sally Russick www.sallyrussick.blogspot.com
Gina Hockett www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Mona Arnott bijouxgemsjoy.blogspot.ca
Sandi Volpe www.sandivolpe.com
Andrea Glick http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Janine Lucas http://www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories
Lori Bowring Michaud www.artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Christie Murrow Www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com
B.R. Kuhlman www.mixedmayhemstudios.com
Lupe Meter www.gesmpccorner.blogspot.com
Lucy Bejarano www.lucybejaranojewelry.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Perry www.mustardbeadbystephanieperry.blogspot.com
Elisabeth Auld www.beadsforbusygals.com
Carolyn Lawson www.carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Heather Powers www.humblebeads.blogspot.com
Katie Hacker www.katiehacker.blogspot.com
Kepi Rasmussen www.kepirasmussen.blogspot.ca 
Gail Vanderster-Zwang www.angelmoose.blogspot.com
Elizabeth Hodges http://thewhisperingseas.blogspot.com/

16 comments:

Melissa said...

I suspect those bracelets will suit the recipient perfectly, and the message is lovely!

Lee said...

What a beautiful sentiment! And I love the bright colors of your pieces. Never heard of the disease but it sounds terrible. A prayer for your family member who still laughs and smiles through it all.

Liz said...

I love, love, love your word choices and your beautiful bracelets! Thanks for sharing your story.

Tammy Adams said...

Both bracelets are such happy colors. Very pretty tributes to your family member.

Kim said...

Beautiful bracelets, and a wonderful tribute. Fighting depression and anxiety takes so much more strength than people realize. I can't imagine having to deal with that and a very aggressive cancer.

Brittany Kuhlman, COC, CPC, CCC said...

Your designs are a beautiful, colorful tribute to your causes. Thank you for sharing them and your story.

Ann Schroeder said...

I think your bracelets are beautiful and the happy colors match the sentiment that someone laughs and smiles as much as she can is wonderful! Thank you for spreading awareness of these conditions and encouraging people with depression to get help! There is help, but it can be hard to see when you are struggling.

elisabeth said...

Love all the color! Wonderful!

Bijoux Gems Joy said...

Your bracelets are lovely and an excellent tribute to the person you are honouring. Thank you for sharing both your family story and the story of your special person

Susanm said...

Both your bracelets are fun and cheerful. Thank you for sharing your story.

SoulsFireDesigns said...

These are such a beautiful tribute to your family member. I absolutely love how you described why you used the multi-colored beads. Very eloquently expressed and I hope your family member sees the post, I'm sure it would touch her heart. Big hugs to you and so beautifully done, thank you for sharing!

Janine said...

What a moving story and what a wonderful way to honor your family member. Thank you for sharing.

EB Bead and Metal Works, LLC said...

I think what you have created is perfect! The pieces are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing this information.

Kepi said...

Beautiful bracelets and such inspirations. Love how colorful and happy they are.

Empty nester at last said...

Beautiful story. I had no idea chemo doesn't work for everything. I love your beads and bracelets so colorful and full of life. Keep smiling and laughing and we will laugh with you!

Lori Anderson said...

How joyful! She Laughes, She Smiles -- the made ME smile! Absolutely wonderful.