Julie Anne Henderson
The sun is in its final stage of setting, displaying the many colors of melted crayons mingling together. It is that time of day when I look forward to looking out over the mountains. I am standing all alone on a huge granite rock, listening to the sound of the wind streaking across the valley below. The feel of buckskin feels soft and cool against my body. My long, thick hair wraps protectively around, guarding me from the winter chill captured in the wind. As I stretch my arms towards the heavens in appreciation of what Mother Earth and the great spirit in the sky have done for me, I feel at peace. Every part of my body feels at one with God. I feel free! I feel good!
A deer approaches and our eyes meet. There is an understanding between us. I can�t explain it, but it�s an understanding of each other. The advancing wind causes a swishing sound of the leaves and the moment is lost, the bond broken as the deer bounds off.
The velvety muzzle of my horse brushes softly against the bareness of my skin, bringing me back to reality. It is time to leave. I don�t want to leave this peace, but it is ok, because I can return anytime I need to get away from reality.
My name is Julie Anne and what you just read may have sounded a little strange, but when you are waiting for a liver transplant, and have been on the list for fourteen months, you will do whatever you have to, to maintain your sanity. I would find a nice quiet place where I could be alone. I would close my eyes while listening to a tape of mountain music. Through the combination of the music and my imagination, I would find myself standing all alone on that rock. That was one of my ways of maintaining sanity. Another way was by expressing my creativity through my craft work.
Since my transplant I have graduated from college, but have not been able to find a job. I have not been able to accomplish in life the same activities I did before the transplant. There have been times when I didn�t feel good about myself. But through my craft work I have been able to preserve some of my self-esteem. That small amount was just enough to recapture a lot that was thought to be lost. I have met many people just like myslef , who have been able to recapture through their craft work, a part of their life they thought had disappeared by having to have a liver transplant.
October 19, 1994 was the day I received the perfect liver that was a perfect match. Since that day I have looked at the universe in a very different way. Through all of this I have learned that there are certain things I have to do in order to become a whole person again, such as: learning how to deal with my medication and the mood swings it can cause. I have to get out of self and think about those around me. As a transplant person I have been given a second chance at life. I have to learn that my life has changed, learn to adjust to it, and most of all not use it as a crutch.
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Raggy Rabbits |
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Tole Paintings |
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Love Flutes |
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Egg Art |
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Angels and Angel Pins |
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