Marks of Grace

All of us fight secret battles, personal struggles unknown to others. These conflicts may cause us to lose sleep, overwork, binge eat, drown our sorrows with alcohol, or chew our fingernails—however we particularly deal with stress. Recently, I faced one of these gut-wrenching trials, causing a huge bout with anxiety and fear. While I faced…

Thanks for the Memories – Voices 2022

We are grateful for our twenty-two veteran artists from the Voices project, volunteers, gallery assistants, and corporate sponsors. Thanks to ArtPrize, the international art event held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and to Kent County Veteran Services and Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency for making a project on this scale possible. A special thank you to the…

The Connections Project

The Connections Project invites individuals to connect with those who don’t look, think, or act like us. Various stances on social issues, race, gender, and the economy spark heated debates in the public sector, on social media, and around family dinner tables. This project challenges individuals to take a fresh look at how they see…

What Are Your Life Words?

Two words that guide my daily decisions are “intentional” and “purposeful.” I’m constantly asking myself, does this particular choice or opportunity fit my overall life purpose and help me to remain intentional? These words guide me as I think about my life goals and where to invest my time each day. One of my goals…

Why My Friend Draws

My dear friend, Priscilla, lives across the country from me. But sometimes, we exercise “together”—via headsets and smartphones—while she walks her pup in her neighborhood on the East Coast, and I amble through my neighborhood in the Midwest. Recently, while talking on one of our walks, Priscilla texted me one of her first watercolor drawings…