I feel privileged to receive emails and comments from my tanglepatterns subscribers. Often they write to share their personal experiences of how this site and the art form of Zentangle (and Tangle doodling) are helping them cope through some really tough circumstances.
Recently Cindi Allen emailed the following:
I love the site. Just love it. I’ve only been doing this for a few weeks and it has been a real lifesaver for me. I am a quilter by nature, but quilting projects are hard to tote around. I’m not one to sit around and do nothing. My mom is in the end stages of cancer (probably won’t last through next week) and doing these Tangles has allowed me to be with her but still doing something constructive at the same time. I can’t concentrate enough to sew, and this lets me “get away” while still being there. I’m in the process of making one called “Cancer and Coping”, with circles made from all of the wine, martini and beer bottles we’ve (my brother and sisters) drank trying to stay sane through this last 3 weeks of nastiness.
So you see, you do good and don’t even realize it – give yourself a pat on the back!! You’ve made it so easy for me to find the Tangles – I don’t have to hunt for them. Thanks again!!
Correspondence like this humbles me. I am so honored to know that in some small way, I’m helping. It is a blessing. And this Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, among my many blessings, I give thanks for you all.
For Cindi, and for others in similar situations, please join me in sending positive energy of support. These passages we all come to deal with sooner or later, and it does help to know you are not alone. Leave Cindi a message in the comments if you like.
I love your website and emails, too. The letter from Cindi touched my heart. I’ll be praying for her and her family as well as her mom during this difficult time. I pray that they have peace and the comfort of happy memories with her. Sincerely, Michael
Cindi: My thoughts are with you! I hope you find the strength you need to get through this awful time. I’m very glad that you have your brother and sisters with you to share this time.
I will probably have to face this situation myself really soon. I’m scared to death, but your words bring me hope.
Blessings of the Cosmos are yours.
My heart goes out to you Cindi. My mom was ill and committed suicide. It is hard either way. May you feel God’s love and tender mercies.
Life can be so hard, and an act of creation can help fight back against the darkness…
My thoughts are with at this sad time. I too have been in that place having lost mum, dad and mother-in-law in quick succession recently. My art helped me through also. Zen tangling more than anything.
Melva (Spain)
Hi all – thank you for the kind words and tender thoughts. Mom passed away on Friday night, and is finally out of pain and dancing the day away with my dad. It has been a tough haul – but the creativity I’ve poured into Tangles for the last week has been such a comfort. The peace I find myself feeling while drawing these pictures really helped alleviate the stress I was feeling. Now I can relax and enjoy my drawing, knowing mom is happy and well taken care of.
Cindi, my condolence goes out to your family and you. Your Mom no longer have to suffer anymore.