Language of Loss When our first child was diagnosed with brain cancer at 18 months, butterflies decorated the oncology wing of the children’s hospital. Their colorful wings adorned the walls and windows, and bedecked doctors’ ties and nurses’ scrubs. When our fourth child was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, […]
Baby Knox
In April 2011, our baby boy was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Cockayne Syndrome.
Pretty Misguided Greetings
When artistic people address grief, they reveal more than their level of artistic talent and design skills. The imagery, composition, and word choices make powerful statements about their worldview. One example I came across recently is a line of empathy cards by Emily McDowell Studio. The designs are text-heavy, meeting […]
“Kicked Out of Church” on DesiringGod.org
I was kicked out of church a few years ago. I didn’t create any art about it when it happened, but I’ve continued to think about it a lot. It changed my life. There are so many ways we can communicate what is in our hearts and minds: drawing, painting, […]
Cockayne Syndrome: A Loving Nature is a Symptom
It was my birthday last month and I received a priceless gift: All the videos from Knox’s life on DVDs! No gift could equal this. In this stage of grief, watching the happy times we had with Knox is a great comfort. I love watching each and every video, […]
Happy 5th Birthday, Knox
Knox is celebrating his 5th birthday in Heaven today, and we miss him. We were priveleged to attend the release of 130 newly hatched Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles early yesterday morning. A crowd gathered along the Padre Island National Seashore and volunteers stood ready to keep the babies safe from seagulls. More […]
One Child Crying
My son died in bed beside me. I have no words to describe this. He was 3 and a half years old. Later that morning, his nurse washed and dressed him. After holding him for 9 days while his body shut down, I was unable to perform this final task. […]
Happy Birthday Knox ~ 4 Gifts Given and Received
Happy Birthday to my little son in Paradise. Knox would be 4 years old today. I think the hardest part is not being able to say “I love you”; not being able to hold him. He’s been gone 5 and a half months. I miss him terribly. Giving gifts of […]
The Dead Dove
When people see this image they respond in different ways. Some have said it’s a photograph full of sadness, that it’s hard to look at. Some say it’s foreboding, an ill omen of days to come. Other are more pragmatic: The dove flew into the window and fell down dead. […]
“3 Seconds”
Knox was here with us for over 3 years, but sometimes it feels more like 3 seconds. The time was so short. Acrylic on Canvas, 24″ X 12″.