Hope

Of all the words that have gone through my head in the last several months, hope is the one that I try to hold onto. It's become a little like a mantra. I even made a stencil so I can mindlessly put it anywhere, because the more I see the word, maybe the more I can believe in it.

I listened to John Lewis's memorial service last week, and this word came up again and again. This man, who stood up for so many, who endured so much for what he believed in, subjected himself to people who showed he and other Black people the worst of humanity. Yet, at the end of his life, he still had hope and love for humanity. What a powerful belief that people are still good, that there is hope even in the darkest corners of what we are now facing now. So, I keep repeating my mantra. We will pass through these times. There is light on the other side. Stencil it again. Hope.

(The above collages were made for this great project called Kid Lit Art Surprise. The organizers have an open call out to artists to make small art, and then they pair the artist with an independent bookstore or two. My collages went to Cover to Cover Books in Columbus, OH, and Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, GA. Lucky customers will receive them with their orders! It's an incentive to drive business to small, indie bookstores, so keep that in mind next time you're looking for reading material. Most bookstores are as easy to order from as Amazon, though it might take a little bit longer. But it's worth it!)