Repurposed

When I first saw this picture, I titled it Repurposed and believe its message is inspiration for others. Kari looked at the used, dried paintbrushes and saw potential. Just as she always has as a kindergarten teacher, she believes in the value of life, of the individual. When she reorganized the paint brushes, added some color, and mounted them on a canvas, they became art that reminds us that everything and everyone has purpose.

The evening that Kari had a stroke nobody anticipated life to change overnight. She simply had a headache and needed to rest. As the pain increased so did concern until life climaxed and trauma assaulted her mind and body. Days were dark for awhile, void of vibrant colors. In fact, per doctor's orders, the lights in the hospital room were dimmed and curtains closed.

The third day after the stroke, when Kari sat up in bed and a lopsided smile formed, the blue in her eyes penetrated dimness the room. With each passing day her positive attitude brightened her world. Colorful cards and pictures covered the walls. The hues of the room became clearer, shades intensified, and tints developed into rich colors of hope.

Repurposed life

It's been four years since Kari's stroke. During her rehabilitation, functionality has not returned to Kari's right arm, but she has retrained her left to pick up the slack. Though she has lost so much of what once was considered normal, new opportunities have developed. She repurposed her life. 

Kari adds color to everyday. She, as does everyone, holds the potential to make dark days brighter by simply shining a smile or sharing words of kindness. With time our purpose in life may change - sometimes slightly and sometimes drastically. Changes occur through our choices when we take a new job, pick a spouse, or decide to sleep in longer than planned. However changes also occur unexpectedly: hurricanes, car wrecks, and illnesses.

The secret to happiness is learning to accept change, learning how to repurpose life. No longer the lead teacher in a classroom, she is a volunteer four days a week. At home, her children thrive from her constant attention and love. She babysits her niece each morning and afternoon. Plants fill every corner and empty space in her home. Her two adopted St. Bernards, two cats, 12 chickens and numerous goldfish complete her happy family. Goals have changed, but life is full.

Yes, accomplishing tasks is more challenging than before the stroke but the word "can't" is not part of her vocabulary. She drives, cooks, cleans, and has adopted a new passion - painting. From observation, I have learned and hope to remind others that life changes may alter our directions but we retain our identity. Everyone can become someone new without losing themselves.

If you have been afflicted by health issues, if trauma has redirected your ambitions, reframe how you view your environment. When the day's events move in unplanned, unexpected directions, find the positive. Control is truly an illusion for all of us. It is only when we accept what we cannot control and admit we are only passengers riding on this gut wrenching, tipsy-turvey rollercoaster we call life, that we can appreciate what we have and stop allowing what is lost the power to make us sad. 

I never witnessed Kari drawing or painting before her stroke. Now, she is a blooming artist. She began with chalk art.

Her stroke left her without the ability to use her right hand. This disadvantage slowed her down for a while but did not stop her. Overtime she developed new passions - painting and fostering plants. Often, both activities revolved around succulents.

A succulent is a plant that grows in unfavorable conditions. They live in dry, hot temperatures such as deserts with limited water available. These plants are drought resistant. They thrive even though their environment challenges their very existence. Kari has a room designated for her crafts filled with plants and artwork.

Beautiful symbolism appears when I watch Kari create in this environment. She is a survivor!

This picture of succulents grew from Kari's designs and skills. When I first saw it, I knew it had to be the front cover of a book that shares Kari's story, Understanding the Power Not Yet: Accepting the Challenges of New Beginnings. This picture embodies her spirit of endurance and persistence.

Recently, she started experimenting with paints. When her sister asked for a picture for Christmas, this painting, this artwork resulted. As the saying goes, a picture says a thousands words.

Hanging on the wall of her painting room is the image below. She explained the hands are signing "Love." The left hand is her functioning hand and the right is her not functioning hand. The symbolism left me speechless reminding me of the power of a picture.

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Kari's stories are shared often on Vocal Media and the book sharing her journey is available Amazon.

The book sells for $3.00 in Kindle format, but if you are a stroke survivor or caregiver in a situation with limited funds, I am happy to email you a copy in Word format. Simply leave me a message.

Understanding the Power of Not Yet: Accepting the Challenges of New Beginnings