Due to a detached retina, I was unable to see, let alone write. It was a devastating year going through the surgeries and waiting periods.
I am one of the lucky ones. My surgeries were successful and my site is now restored. It will never be the way it was, but I am blessed. I AM WRITING AGAIN. I am ecstatic.
I took my eyesight for granted. Now I know what some people go through and the helplessness they feel when they find themselves in darkness or only see shadows. It provided me with a life long lesson.
During this time I had exhausted almost every audiobook in the market. I couldn't watch television, couldn't read and couldn't write. I was bored out of my mind.
I found an old cigar box and started painting it. I blended colors and played around with it. and I made this whimsical box. I didn't use a stencil and drew it freehand. That's why it's not perfect. I couldn't believe I could do it...me who had never painted or drawn a picture in my life.
IThis led me to make more keepsake boxes. I call them Treasure Keepers by JLD Creations. Now I've expanded to cigar purses and I sell them at craft fairs.
My loss of sight was a detour which led me to a hobby that's been therapeutic and rewarding.
I encourage all of you who have had detours to look beyond that dead end. Find something else that will make your heart sing.
Please share how you've faced challenges and how you found another road to express yourself.
Blessings,
Jeanette
