Jen flying.

It was very sad news to hear. 

I learned a former coworker named Chris (who retired about two years ago) lost her daughter last month. 

Her daughter was a quadriplegic from a car accident many years ago and has had health issues ever since. We were told her daughter (Jen) had some recent complications and she passed away suddenly. She was only a year older than me. 

Chris would often tell me that Jen had a passion for art, showing me paintings her daughter created with the help of adaptive devices. 

My university coworkers and I gave Chris a condolence card as a group but it felt impersonal to me.

Sending something handmade seemed more fitting. In the weeks that followed, I created this card for her. 

 "Jen flying"

Watercolors, gouahce, and ink on watercolor paper

4" x 5 1/4" (NFS)

I wanted the butterfly to have a glowing effect. To give the impression of something deeper happening. Hopefully that came across in the finished piece. 

I wasn’t sure if seeing this would make Chris sad or make her smile or both. 

Losing someone around the holidays is never easy. Thanksgiving and Christmas just aren’t the same, no matter how many years may pass. 

Hopefully the card will bring some comfort to Chris during this time and be a reminder that now she has someone watching over her. 

Time to fly, Jen.