Hello from Western North Carolina 🩷 Our little corner of the world has changed in so many ways since I last posted on social media just over a week ago. Thankfully, my family is safe and we are doing just fine. But so many people here in our community and surrounding areas literally lost everything due to Hurricane Helene that completely ripped through our mountains last Friday. I can’t even begin to describe how much my heart breaks for my community right now. 💔
Personally, we were blessed that our house received no damage. We were unable to leave our house for several days until some incredible volunteers came to clear our road of a tree and a down power line that were blocking us in. No power, a boil water advisory, and no cell phone service at all for the first few days. Not being able to contact loved ones at all is an awful feeling that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Cell service comes and goes. Some days we’re able to communicate and other days (still) communication is nonexistent. If you don’t hear from us, it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re not okay. We just literally don’t receive texts or calls and definitely can’t make them either.
I’ve felt so lost for words, lost for what to do, lost at how to continue forward. But I’m always determined to let my middle name be my goal and our community (and world) needs all the joy it can get right now. 💖 Throughout this week, I’ve painted out on our porch just a little bit to help keep myself calm. I finished painting some little pumpkin canvases that I had started before this all happened and I created this new encouraging art print. The quote “We rise by lifting others” couldn’t be more true. We’ve felt so grateful for neighbors, friends, family, and even people we’ve never met before during this time. I’ve felt so grateful to each of you who have messaged me asking if I’m okay. I’ve decided that through the rest of October, I’ll be donating a portion of my art sales to two organizations who are near to my heart and who are doing incredible work (always) but especially right now in Western North Carolina. Interfaith Assistance Ministry (link here for info) is a nonprofit that is specifically here in Hendersonville. They are proving food, clothes, supplies, and so much more to our community. And Samaritans Purse is another organization near and dear to my heart (link here for info) that I’ve been able to personally volunteer with in the past, and I know they’re doing incredible work right now in our area. 50% of the proceeds from my new “We rise by lifting others prints” will be donated and 25% of all other sales on my website will be donated through the end of October. Your support has always meant the world to me, and right now your support means much more in providing for my family and my community and I can’t thank you enough. 🩷