"Knowing" & Knowing: Life Lessons Learned from Art

The ironic part, ever since this class (painted dream catchers) I have had the weirdest dreams!

Last weekend was our Painting Party for Marilyn’s Army. We went ALL pink for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and raised over $400! A small fee, but that is not including what we raised through donations online as well. And let’s be honest, every dollar counts.

I say “we” because it was wholeheartedly a group effort. My wonderful sister-in-law (soon to be anyway) and her family (her mama is Marilyn!) assisted me in this event along with my former art teacher, his daughter, son-in-law and even my twin brother.

I have been so jaded from group projects in high school, you know, where you get a group assignment and YOU get saddled with doing everything? Or how you just do not trust the people in the group enough with YOUR grade, so you do all the work anyway? Yea, that has always been me. So handing over the reigns on an event was a huge ordeal for me.

I do not know why, because in the entire eight years I have known my sister-in-law and her family they have always been good hearted and fully reliable; but these events are so important to me. I was a tad stressed. Not going to lie. Other individuals were bringing parts of the event: décor, food, paint. I am such a micro-manager! I felt my eye start twitching a little at the thought of PARTS of the event being in different cars.

But all those cars arrived at the same spot and everything went off without a hitch. In fact, I think I need a collaborator at all of these parties now. Ha. The set up, disbursement of paint and break down went SO FAST. And it was such a joy to share the experience with family. Not only that, but my parents and twin brother were there to paint with us. Which made me happy beyond measure.

See the rest at the "previous event" page on this site.

And then, most recently was the baby’s room. No, not my baby. But baby Anna-Grace. Another collab project. A prior classmate told me about the project and asked me to participate. I was floored someone thought enough of me and my work to seek out my help. I couldn’t believe it. But it too went off flawlessly. We did a whole room in two days!

God was really trying to show me something I think: making my stubborn self realize that people are fundamental parts of what makes a great organization. Funny how doing events and raving about how important relationships with people are, I can still forget that! Sometimes you have to hand over the reigns. Yes, obviously in twenty four years I should know, but sometimes you “know” (and do not care and ignore) and then you KNOW, having experienced it and really learned something. I definitely did the latter these past few weeks. The fact that I want to start this organization (or whatever you want to call me) you have to realize that it cannot be a one person show. You think you get that, but then weekends and projects like these come along. I truly can not thank those who helped me enough. Not only for making these things happen but also teaching me such a valuable lesson.

:)