somedays ...I just show up....despite the pain....

The sun was shining and the air was cool and crisp as I took a deep breath outside my back door of our cabin.  The anger was rushing up.....why is still hanging on my sensibilities....the is no answer.  I am supported by many who loved Lisa Marie.  John is still hospitalized but Myles has been reunited with his beloved grandparents.  No arrangements have been prepared...so many questions and so many loving people who want to help the surviving family.  I spoke to Stephanie and she had made a visit to the hospital to see John and reassure him that he had friends ready and willing to be there to help.  No one can bring our beloved friend back but we can all work together to collaborate to make this exhibit shine in her honor.  I do not know how...who will be there..when we will have the images printed that Lisa just took while on her retreat... but where there is a will there is a way.  This makes a plan or sorts... a flexible...ever growing ...ever evolving moment to bring the community together in honor of this remarkable woman whio is gone too soon.

I had lunch with another friend Sam ...she works for Licking County Children's Services and she  helped me make another delivery to the outreach program that assists families in need of Christmas cheer and some gifts for the children.  There halls were lined with big bags of wrapped presents already sorted and ready to deliver ...but the need is great.  My friends at the deli ...this year we decided to not exchange gifts this season but to take the funds for gifts and play it forward...buy for someone we will never know.  I delivered wooden puzzles and trains and wooden cars yesterday...but today I had numerous gift sets of Jewelry Kits for young ladies between 10 and 13 to make and design their own jewelry.  This age is a difficult one...but the art set is an opportunity to give a creative outlet for the child and not have to worry about sizes or particular colors.  I walked into the lunch room and discovered a dear young worker Kaitlin Riley...her mother would be so proud...working with the kindest heart to give  the lives of families a better opportunity to make a go it during these difficult times.  I felt her mother smiling down with pride...little miracles are happening every day even when you may feel all hope is lost.  Art Saves Lives!

Abby brought in my 100 ornaments we will be decorating on Saturday for the family Christmas party...we have strung the bells with ribbons and now they were ready to complete with sparkles and jewels and snowflakes.  It will be a busy day Saturday but I am looking forward to giving this family day celebration all the Joys of the season.  We will have the polar Express movie showing...Christmas cookies to decorate... the ornament making station...a family photo opportunity and a visit from Santa!  Plus the Works Deli is providing a delicious buffet of great foods...I remember going to my Dad's holiday party when he worked for Dupont in Louisville so now it is my time to play it... pay it...forward.

Then there was one more event ...a celebration of the YES club...Say YES to Glass exhibit and silent auction.  Yes, I can honestly say I was tired but....Art Saves Lives and I needed to celebrate with these six beautiful individuals who studied and designed with Larry Tuber and Sean Everette.  I was outbid on each of the glass works I had wanted to buy for gifts...but who cares... the six young artists were the best gift I could have hoped for.  Congratulations :  Stephani Barrett
                                                     Harley Evans
                                                     Charles Huffman
                                                     Jacob O'Brien
                                                     Macenzie Schimpf
                                                     Deasis White aka Ace

 Gail is one of my guardian angels who stops by to just check on me...she is like having my own permanent angel to call on when times are troubled...love radiates from her to all who meet her.

 The three all stars!!!! getting ready to share their treasures...

 Ace made an incredible glass hat like the one he is wearing...

 Lyn helps Charlie price his works... he is a freshman in high school...

 I tried to get that spiffy red/green vase and a fused plate with her hearts... but no  not this time...

 Jacob made my favorite blue...cobalt blue vase...very scientific in design...nope it was not my time to get this one....

 parents and friends and family all were enjoying touching and seeing the works up close...

 each artist had their own style ...their own colors... so delightful...

I really wanted that little green alien....next time...

Janice reassures Charles that he is on the right path.... I have a feeling that the Works will see Charles again in some capacity...working or volunteering...he is a Joy...

Charles made this Pink Ribbon for Breast Cancer awareness...

 a little bit of apprehensiveness...but he was shining by the end of the evening he was beaming with pride............

 the cameras were flashing.....

 Ace makes his final decisions....look at that wonderful glaze on that blue vase...........

 Marcia is the hostess with the mostest!!!!  The Pizza Cottage supplied the best pizza ever...I loved the vegetarian pizza...

 Jacob is a proud artist.... that beautiful cobalt blue one is in high demand........

 final checks...............

 Larry Tuber and Jacob take a moment to reflect..

 all three of these ornaments are spectacular............

 this table was filled with collaborative works the glass teams designed and worked on together..........choice pieces....

 another view of the collaborative table........

 group shot of some pretty proud students and two fine teachers.

 time to be just silly.................after a hard 10 weeks class.....

 watching in anticipation........Charlie is happy....... his Mom made it...

 a dialogue about the choice of colors and techniques....questions and observations.......

 this is the one I truly wanted to get but a young man with his girl friend really had their hearts set on this one.......beautiful work...

 Vee Hottle....this woman is changing the world of teens here in Newark.........

 Amanda is quite the character ....look at her smile and love for these kids..........

 the final bids are coming in ...60 minutes countdown goes very quickly............

 a mother...the mayor study the pieces...the mayor got mine...I could not bid against Jeff Hall

 dueling art patrons...not that is how we like it...........

proud supporters of the glass arts...look at Larry's smile!







a rare photograph of Jessica and her beloved brother.... look at those twinkling smiles.......

You all have done a fabulous job and I can not express my delight in being able to be there and experience their wondrous joys and excitement!  Now I need to go to bed.  I am really tired.  Imagine and live in Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart