PROLOGUE
The first ah-ha moment suggesting my life's purpose happened on a hot summer night drenched in laughter and the innocence of 12-year-olds.
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Our gawky legs created a braided circle on the cottage floor as vacation photos with goofy smiles, cute boys, and stick figured pre-teens flaunting Marilyn Monroe poses filled the center.
With hesitation and burning cheeks, I added my images to the pile; two decaying barns, a laboring farmer, withering flowers, and a rusted ship fighting the ocean’s pull to its murky floor.
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My friends giggled and teased. And, as an insecure pre-teen does, I laughed with them while under my breath I whispered...
Can’t you see the beauty? Can't you feel the hope welling up inside these imperfect, worn, tired, and broken things? Can't you hear the story of an ending making room for a new beginning?
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And so began my journey of seeking the artistry of life in the broken, worn, and imperfect.
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CHAPTERS
My passion grew from being drawn to objects, to a life privileged to walk the healing journey with the hurting, lost, and the broken; each brave soul teaching me about hope, courage, and the artistry of reshaping a new story.
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Through the journey, I discovered life breaks us all, myself included.
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In my own season of suffering, I came upon the Japanese art, Kintsugi
When I mended my first pottery vessel back to wholeness, each step became a part of my own healing journey. It was a tangible way to experience God's invitation and presence in my own restoration.
I will share my personal life-shattering moment here as it illuminates God's golden glory in my life.
I am an artist of its craft and use it as to walk others through the many stages of healing and creating change for themselves.
Through the sale of my art, I support the rescue and restoration of women and children held captive in sex trafficking.
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Today, as an artist and a writer, my deepest desire is to be an instrument of hope and healing.
As a person, it is to shine God's light into the world in a way that illuminates the brightness and beauty of others.
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BETWEEN THE LINES:
Hi, I'm Suzzanne!
Like you, I am ordinary and extraordinary.
I am sister, colleague, writer, artist, and friend.
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I am the mother of three incredible adult children, a survivor of divorce, deaths, and many life-changing experiences that have rocked the ground from under me. God is my foundation, and you will surely find Him in my writing.
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As an adoptive mom of two beautiful, but once broken little girls lost in our foster care system, I have experienced first-hand the struggle and resilience it takes to love and bring restoration to a shattered spirit. I have witnessed the courage it takes to be a child who has suffered at the hands of others. This unbelievable journey has taught me the art of unconditional love, imperfection, and grace, which I would love to share with you!
My 17-year service in foster care and as a CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocate) for abused and neglected children has given me the privilege to fight for change in failing laws and overwhelmed systems and to be the voice for innocent children who go unheard. To be God's hands and feet serving the vulnerable is one of my greatest privileges, and my soul is nourished in the planting and sprouting of hope seeds.
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My dream now, in the autumn of life, is to share art and words with those who are broken and wanting to embrace change. It is my hope all will come to know the beauty of their scars.
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I'm honored to walk this season with you and excited to see your own beautiful story unfold.
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MY FAMILY
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My "incredible" adult children mentioned above now span three U.S. time zones and have lives of their own. They have become my biggest fans, and my much-needed tech team!
In my heart, they will always be my kiddos cuddled at my feet as seen in the photo. But today, my pleasure is the rare occasion when they are all gathered in my kitchen sipping a good cup of coffee and trumping each other's childhood stories.
Ah, the aroma of their warm laughter filling the room.
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When I'm not writing, I enjoy painting,
the art of kintsugi, sailing, photography,
and traveling.
I am also wonderfully blessed by my husband
of two years.
Yep, we're newlyweds!
I didn't see it coming, but God did.
