Monday, June 9, 2014

Diva Challenge #171-Beads of Courage.

This weeks challenge really hit home with our family. We lost our Eldest son to Cancer in February of this year. A more tragic event, than to see a beloved member of your family, lose his life to a relentless, methodical killer, is hard to imagine. Our hearts go out to all those experiencing their loved ones afflicted with life threatening diseases.

I was unaware of the Beads of Courage program. Anything that can help children face the medical procedures that are ahead of them, is a wonderful thing. I applaud those who created the program, and the facilities that are implementing it.

Our son was a musician and played his many guitars, and keyboards regularly. So to honor him, I have included a Guitar, along with a lot of Beads of Courage. The sound hole is represented by the Tangle Pattern Dekore created by Kari Schultz. The other three patterns have the same initials as our son. His name was David Lee Hunter, so I used Diamond Drops, Leaflet, and Huggins. (Created by Janice Sherlock, Helen Williams, and Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas.)

It's is hard not to feel the emotions behind a drawing based on a close family tragedy. I like how it turned out. Much better than my first idea. It was actually a good idea, but my execution of that concept was wonky, and rather than spend time on it, I just went with another idea.

Other than the emotional component to this weeks Challenge, it was a fun one.


Visit "I Am the Diva" and see what other Tanglers are doing with this Challenge.


41 comments:

  1. This is absolutely beautiful - such an awesome tribute to your son.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comments Susan. We appreciate you sentiments

      Delete
  2. I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing a bit of your son with us. It's beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beautiful tile. I'm sorry for your loss. And I agree with Susan - this tile an awesome tribute to your son.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you David for sharing your story. Your superb tile is full of light and special memories.Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm very sorry for your loss, David. Anything that hurts our children hurts us so hard too. Losing one is terrible. Your tile is so full of light, colour and life. Indeed a beautiful tribute.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a beautiful tribute, and tile.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the comments, much appreaciated.

      Delete
  7. You have reminded me that however much of a difficult time I might be having with my children - at least I still have them. I will approach today with more patience and compassion. Thank you and take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Saffi. Life is an adventure isn't it

      Delete
  8. Hi David. We'd love to chat. You can email rickandmaria@zentangle.com at your convenience. With best regards, R&M

    ReplyDelete
  9. So Sorry for your loss David. We're in a club that no one wants to be a member of. Your tribute and your tile are beautiful. Strength and courage to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the comments and encouragement.

      Delete
  10. A beautiful tribute to your son, so full of colors, and music. It sure needs a lot of courage to share this story with us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Zentangling sure helps us cope. This art of Tangling sure is great theropy.

      Delete
  11. I'm so sorry for your loss David. I just love your tile, its bold and bright with just enough element of colour - such a beautiful tribute for your beloved son, taken away far too soon. Thank you for sharing your story - stay strong xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Lila. I appreciate your comments and support.

      Delete
  12. This is so, so beautiful - so colorful and vibrant, a fitting tribute and inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your tangle is beautiful and your story brings tears to my eyes == a lovely tribute.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Very sorry to hear about your heartbreaking loss. Thank you for sharing with us. Your tile is really beautiful, and moving.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your sentiments, Jennifer. They are much appreciated.

      Delete
  15. Your tile is beautiful. Art is a wonderful way to keep treasured memories close. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jean, for your kind words and sentiments.

      Delete
  16. Wow, David, that took a lot of courage to write about your son's passing! I'm sorry for your loss! As you will see when I finish my tile, I have a niece that has an incurable type of brain cancer. She is 21! Zentangle and the Zentangle community have really helped me in dealing with this journey of hers. We have never experienced cancer in our family and have been blessed. It is very hard to understand! Anyway, sorry to babble on. But your Beads of Courage dedication to your son is very touching and very beautiful!! I'm sure he's smiling!! ((((HUGS)))) Annette :0)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so sorry to hear about your niece. The compassion of the Zentangle community speaks volumns about the special nature of their spirits. I hope you can get some solice while creating your tile like I did. Hugs back at you, Annette.

      Delete
  17. Oh David, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your son. I cannot even begin to imagine losing a child. I am so moved by your story and your beautiful tile. I have no doubt your son is loving your tribute to him. Sending prayers your way...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Barbara. We appreciate the prayers, they are such a powerful force.

      Delete
  18. I am so, so sorry for you loss; I know this has been said a lot of times above, but I know no other words to express myself.
    I want to 'give' you this text:
    And life is eternal
    And love is immortal
    And death is only a horizon
    And a horizon is nothing
    than the limit of what we can see.

    Found in a book of Mansukh Patel
    Hope you don't mind me doing this.
    Your tile is a GREAT tribute to David Lee!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't mind art all. Wonderful words, and meaningful concepts to keep in mind as we experience the more tragic side of life. Thanks Anne.

      Delete
  19. this tangle shows love between an artist-father and his son. it's expressing also freedom....at least, that's what i can see.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Akua. Our son is free of all the pain he was experiencing.

      Delete
  20. I am so sorry for your loss. Your tile is a beautiful tribute to your son! Thank you for sharing your story. Take care!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Sue. Thank you so much for your comments, and your wonderful contributions to the Zentangle community. CZT's Rock.

      Delete
  21. David this tile is beautiful and must be filled with so much emotion. Thank you for sharing..... Linda x

    ReplyDelete
  22. I had to come back to see this beads of courage rendition. Beautiful. Touching.

    ReplyDelete