6/18/2026
I have said this many times, but I am not 100% sure where a collage is going to lead me when I start. This one is no different. Last month, I reached the milestone of 1 year since my donor stem cell transplant for T-cell lymphoma. Over the weekend, I threw myself a party/celebration to recognize my state of remission and also to thank the many, many people in our lives who helped, supported, and prayed for us along the way.
It was a magical night. All of my very closest friends were there along with my kids, my sister and brother (and sister-in-law), and my husband.
By Monday, I was feeling a little blue. I guess because the party had passed and now I really am in the “now what?” phase of recovery. I’m so much better than before, but I still have residual weakness and fatigue.
So, I returned to creating some type of artwork as a release of the stress I was feeling.
I started with the woman who has a pillow over her head. People often place a pillow over their heads when feeling anxious or overwhelmed. It’s fitting that I came across this image, given how I was feeling. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the world and would like to cocoon myself from the outside.
Next is the hand holding the elephant. An elephant symbolizes strength, wisdom, and longevity; resilience in overcoming obstacles (me/cancer survivor X2). A hand holding an elephant symbolizes mastering the impossible and absolute control over your destiny.
I placed the tree upside down because I don’t feel quite like myself yet–whatever that is. The parakeets symbolize emotional balance. They encourage you to speak your truth and to express your authentic self.
The only thing I’m a little unsure of is why I included the gravestone, but I feel like it needed to be there. A gravestone can symbolize many things, but in this case, I think it exhibits a passage of time and our own mortality. The dove and cherub on the gravestone symbolize hope, peace, and the Holy Spirit. I think that draws back to all I’ve been through and the hope I have for the future.
I am very happy with how this piece turned out. It shows how art can help you display your feelings and help you work through emotions that are troubling you. Angie