September 24

I get to return almost daily to the place where that single, tiny flower in the 2015 image first caught my attention. Her descendants are now many and have relocated themselves a bit. The old log upon which I used to sit is now only a memory, having decayed into the Texas soil. The tree against which I used to lean after stepping over a shrub, can no longer be leaned against because the shrub has grown to become the tree’s body guard.

Yep, things have changed. And still, life goes on, and still, I listen in small, everyday actions.

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

“The most important thing you can do to unravel white-body supremacy—and to heal your own historical and secondary trauma around race—is to notice what your body does in the presence of an unfamiliar Black body, and then learn to settle your body in the midst of that presence. … Much of white-skin privilege involves small, everyday actions. So it’s possible to share your privilege with others through such actions.” —Resmaa Menakem, *My Grandmother’s Hands*, p. 212-213

“Seven Years of Wonder” is a daily look back at my creative journaling posts since 2014. I began this journey on Feb. 11, 2021, and hope to continue through Feb. 10, 2022. What am I learning about my art and faith journey thus far? What has remained constant? Where have I been changed? How is this impacting present and future art-making?

A deep bow of gratitude to you for keeping me company on this journey.