November always hits me like a ton of bricks anymore. It creeps up out of nowhere and blindsides me; a hit to the heart. The anniversary of my dad’s accident and subsequent death (my birthday sandwiched between the two) looms over the holidays. An unexpected $3,000 car repair. Eighty-degree days that feel like summer. Everything feels a little off and moonless. Month of loss: the precursor of Sad Season.
Despite all this, I am better now at this moment than I probably have been the last two years. I don’t care a whole lot about my birthday these days, but I am incredibly grateful for every person in my life who tries to make it special. Thank you all for creating space for me. When life feels dim, your support becomes something even more beautiful.
Photo taken my friend Dillon Carson, from a studio visit a couple months ago.
Aside from being surrounded by the love of my friends, a highlight from my birthday weekend was a visit to the MFA in Boston to see the Dalí and O’Keeffe exhibits. Here are a few favorite moments;