In 2005 I had resolved myself to grief for the rest of my life. It was the beginning of 14 years away, 5110 days apart from my children, my husband, my parents and everything I had known. It was a battle to conquer injustice, corruption, greed and anger, and replace it with a decision to let go, and walk in compassion. This was a constant struggle in an environment of despair. In 2009 I won relief, but I would not win release on appeal for another 8 years. This piece was completed in ink pen, red acrylic, & marker pigment. I would look at it to remind myself, that the darkness I was leaving would not always have to leave a stain on my emotional core. I decided to pull myself back up, no matter how low I had fallen.

"I drown pull myself back up keep faith hold my head up high live a higher truth even when I'm mocked or ridiculed help is at my fingertips reassurance is in my heart as long as i continue to believe in a better future after this."

From the original illustration 2009