#grateful that i gave myself all the tools I'm using today to get well

[gamerwoman3d]

Personal in the tags.

[bluecollarmcandtf]

Cash Slave, reporting in...

Good morning, master. State Trooper Hernandez reporting!

I hope you're doing well since the last time we saw each other. Again, I can't apologize enough for pulling you over on the highway. I had no idea you were such an amazing hypnotist. Thank you again for letting me get off easy and only making me taze myself twice! I was paralyzed in that muddy ditch for awhile, but you could've given me a helluva worse punishment!

Your instructions aren't negotiable, so I made sure to snap a photo before I started my shift today. As you suggested, I've been eating a box of donuts every morning, and I've packed on a hefty 30 lbs since I've started. My wife has complained, but I know you want me to look more like a cliche of law enforcement!

I'll stop by your house to drop off my paycheck tonight after work. I won't forget to pick up some pizza for you and your friends on the way: extra sausage, just like you said!

See you tonight, master!

Hello sir.

It's been a week since you came into my shop, and I've followed everything you said. I didn't agree with it at first, but you convinced me with that little pendant.

You were right! I really am beneath powerful men like you. Filthy blue-collar workers aren't worthy to lick the dirt off your shoes. You were right to point that out, and you were right to tell me to embrace it. When the world looks at me, they shouldn't see a man. They should see a grease monkey at the bottom of society.

That's why I haven't showered or changed in seven days. My BO is uncomfortable to work in, but I know it's just a reminder of what I am. I used to be proud of my job. Ha! I used to look down on suits like you, but I'm nothing in comparison; just a tool at your disposal.

Anyways, I cleaned and waxed your old car as fast as I could. I know I lent you my convertible, but you're welcome to keep it. I put a lot of sweat and blood in fixing her up, but like you said, fancy cars are meant for you to drive and me to maintain.

Stop back in my garage anytime. White-collar men like you get free service here! It's not the place of any lowly laborer to get in the way of what you want.

Thank you again, sir.

Hello boss.

Just started another long day of window washing! It's another hot one, but I'll keep my head down and sweat through it like usual.

I've gotta say, it's days like this that make me miss the comforts of my old corporate desk job. I'd kill for some AC right now, but I remember how much you made me realize I hated that career. Like you said, I'm much better suited to a life of mindless cleaning.

It turns out you're the real one with a knack for business strategy because all of your advice has been genius! The income is dependent on the hours I put in, and since I'm working for half the price of all competitors, I've gotten a monopoly on the market! I've fully booked all seven days for the next five or so weeks, so I'll be washing windows non-stop!

The business is already booming! I've been billing customers to your bank account, so you should already see all the profit in there!

Later today, I'll make a note of the minimum I need to replenish the cleaning supplies I'm running through. I'd also be grateful if you loaned me a bit for personal use, but it's understandable if you can't spare any! We agreed that I wasn't working for a salary, and I'm fine with that! I've been sleeping in the company van the last few weeks and it's more than good enough for me!

Don't worry, boss. I'll get back to work!

Tell my wife hello for me, master!

Working on a rig has been isolating. The job is brutal, the days are long, and every night I head back to our bunks covered in oil. I thought I'd at least get to bond with the other guys, but most of us are too tired to do anything but eat and sleep after our shift.

The only thing that's getting me through it is thinking about you. I know I also have a girl at home, but you were the one that gave my life purpose. I was never going to make money as an actor, and you helped me see that! You were the one that convinced me to go for this ridiculous job in the middle of the ocean, and now I'm making a ton of money!

You deserve it all.

I wouldn't have seen any of this cash if I hadn't stuck around after your stage hypnosis show. I still remember the wild look in your eyes when you came up with this idea for me. I also remember that hungry look you had when you saw my wife. It was impossible to say no.

Oh, and thanks for keeping my wife company while I'm gone. A man like you deserves her attention more than I do. Like you said, I doubt I was pleasing her to begin with. The only thing I'm good for is earning money, and I hope you're enjoying it because it sure isn't easy to earn!

I gotta get back, but I wanted to let you know that I signed up for another six months like you suggested. It's lonely, but I'm happy to do it, master!

Son, or should I still call you 'sir'?

I'm not sure if I your new title applies through text as well? Being your dad and your servant can be a bit confusing, but I don't mean disrespect you! Just let me know.

My workout is done and I'm headed back to your house. I signed the deed over to you this morning, so you officially own it now! Like usual, I'll clean the place from top to bottom. I've got all the mops and cleaning supplies in my van and ready to go. Since it's Friday, I'll start on the weekly yard work; mowing, weeding, etc... I don't want to bore you with the details, but it'll take the majority of the day to keep your place in tip top shape!

As I understand it, you are having friends over tonight, so I'll prepare a three course meal for eight. I ironed my apron this morning so I should look like a more presentable waiter than last night when I served your food!

As always, please let me know if there's any other way I can be of service today or tonight.

I'll be awaiting your return, sir.

Hey little bro,

I just finished my workout at the gym with dad. We're both hitting PRs and we're really starting to see some results! Still can't believe you hypnotized his dumb ass to think he's your butler! That man looks so stupid changing from gym clothes into a bowtie and gloves. He's constantly calling you 'sir' too, even when you're not around.

He's such an idiot.

Anyways, I'm all dressed and ready for my new job. You were totally right. I'm going to be so much happier as a clown instead of a wrestler. I'm about to head out to my first gig; a ten year old's birthday party. I think he's the kid of someone I used to compete with. It might be a little awkward, but it won't affect my routine. I've got an afternoon of pies in the face and self-deprecating humor ahead of me.

I made sure to tell the guy who hired me that I'm willing to stay after and clean up. Kids make a huge mess after all. I just hope he won't be too weird about me being a clown at his son's party. We may have been rivals in the past, but that was back when I wrestled. Now I'm just a joke for hire. He's technically my boss for the day, so I'll have to get used to taking orders from him.

Wish me luck, bro. I'll give you the money after the dad dismisses me. Let's hope I make a good clown!

[redrocketpanda]

Today is my 1 year anniversary of fic writing! I wanted to do something to celebrate but couldn't think of anything, so here's a little reflective ramble post about writing instead

For well over a decade (tbh closer to 15 years) I struggled with severe writing anxiety and, with the exception of one thing I posted in 2014, my anxiety became so bad that I completely disengaged from writing altogether. Whenever I sat down to write I would be filled with such powerful negative thoughts that I would become paralysed by them. I tried so many things to help combat this including writing workshops + classes, nanowrimo, mentoring, journaling, and reading tonnes of self-help advice, but nothing seemed to work. I grew increasingly despondent, afraid that nothing would "fix" me, which was incredibly depressing because when I was younger I loved writing. I wanted to get back to that space of creativity and joy that writing brought but instead felt like I was being pushed further and further away from it.

Then, in November 2022, I was talking to one of my best friends - @parad0xymoron - about how distressing I was finding S6 of My Hero Academia, to the point where I was struggling to watch it. Socket's suggestion? Write fic! If something is happening that I don't like or is upsetting me, then I can write a different version of events. And thus the first chapter of Just Watch Me - my Kirishima/Bakugou fic - was born.

And once I'd started, I found I couldn't stop.

Suddenly, all of the characters, and scenarios, and plots I was imagining in my head came spilling out onto the page. Between November - April, I not only posted all 4 chapters of Just Watch Me but I also wrote and published 7 other one-shots as well. This isn't to say that writing "suddenly" became easy. Of course it didn't. It was - and is - still stressful for me. There were times when I felt that all too familiar sense of paralysis creeping up on me, but I drew on all the tools I had learned over a decade to deal with it.

I stopped. Took a deep breath. Looked inside to see what was going on: What was I scared or anxious of? Then I addressed the issue myself, or spoke to friends who helped me process. And then I kept going. I didn't let the fear or the anxiety or the obsessive need for perfection to stop me.

In exactly 1 year (27th November 2022 - 27th November 2023) I went from 0 words to:

I repeat: In exactly 1 year I went from 0 words in (almost) 10 years to 87, 852 words across 12 published fics for 5 different fandoms. And that's not even including the thousands of words I have from my wips.

During this time, I didn't just write though. I spent time devouring other people's fics and learning from their writing. I spoke to a whole bunch of wonderful fic writers who gave me tonnes of useful feedback, ideas, reassurance, and validation. I began analysing media I enjoy to begin breaking down the parts of them that I loved so that I could learn from it. I joined a bunch of bang events (which, honestly, has been incredible). And I made friends with some of the most wonderful people + writers who are now very dear to my heart.

Perhaps ironically, I cannot even put into words how life changing writing fic and participating in fandom has been for me. It has given me back what no workshops or classes or professionals has ever been able to give me - my ability to write, and to enjoy writing.

So let me just be a sap for a minute and say a very tearful thank you to any of you who have been part of my journey - whether that's been in leaving kudos or comments on my fics, or talking through ideas with me, or beta-reading my fics, or gifting me your valuable writing advice, or sharing your own writing journeys with me, or being someone who I've made friends with.

I'm literally so grateful to every single experience I've had over the past year, and it makes me very excited to see what the next year brings. I still have far to go and much to learn, but damn am I revelling in the fucking joy of being able to write. I'm so excited to keep writing, keep creating, and keep sharing with you all <3

[anvoo]

03.05.2023 - ChatGPT with assignments, me and Cat taking some time to think, how I want to live life

I'm grateful to my friends that are around to listen and talk to me. It just feels good to know that I am not alone with my struggles and that the progress I'm making on my own mental and psyche is really meaningful and impactful. I'm proud of myself for that also; the progress I've made is amazing, and I'll continue to live by my goals, purposes, love, and care.

I tried using ChatGPT to help me with my assignments for the first time today, and it was amazing, giving me examples, explanations, and notes,... all according to my requests and wants. Needless to say, I'll definitely be using it more often as a tool to help me with things ;)

I talked to an old friend earlier today about some of my struggles and things that I'm working on, and also a bit about my situation with Cat right now. Coincidentally, she also could relate to a lot of the things I talked about, and we kind of share some similarities there. It definitely gave me perspective and allowed me to take a step back, and think things through.

Me and Cat are taking some time alone right now to think about our relationship, how it is now, and how we want it to be moving forward. I have a bad habit of wanting to rush things, and kind of touches on my want for control of the situation, and wanting things to happen exactly how I want them to. A lot of it stems from my fear of "unpredictable things", "things maybe not going how I envisioned it to go", "things that I don't want to happen", "me not being able to say or do well enough to get what I want",... And I feel like they all trace back to me wanting what I want, now now now, and hating what I don't want, and NEEDING or HAVING to get what I want. Life doesn't really work that way, and sometimes things happen that are just out of my control, and maybe sometimes I don't get exactly what I want or envisioned, and that's ok. I am the master of my own destiny, but I'm not omniscient; I don't know whether or not something is "in the end" good or bad for me. Therefore, the best I can do is to just be genuine with myself and others, and do what I believe is right, in that moment. Whether or not that decision is good or not, I'll find out when I'm killed by a giant crab at the end of my life haha.

Until then, I'm just going to try my best to be genuine and honest, trust in myself and what I believe is right, live my life, and take whatever it is that life throws at me, as a potential opportunity for growth, for something better.

Goodnight!

Goodnight!

[boredymcbored]

Self Harm

I ate today. Until it hurt. I feel the hurt right now. I know I have to eat healthier so that I don't have pain like I did earlier this year. But sometimes I binge.

And that's self harm. I practice that sometimes. Even when I don't realize I do, I'm recently discovering.

See, when I was younger, it was definitely binging. It was "justified" cause I needed food to last through to band practice. Then cause of Brandon's ass and the tbh self hatred I had for my bigger self, I ate better. And healthy habits were formed.

Until they didn't. And I fell into a deep depression. So deep it became vile. And negative thoughts echoed negative emotions until I gave in. I tried the etch a sketch moment all of once. Until I was too much of a wimp to see it through. Spent that night buoyed to the phone and a person I was grateful to be there for me at that time. And decided weed was there for me. And exercise too.

Until I found a way to harm with that. I didn't even notice it initially. Having the gym to myself to fuck around and play ball was just nice. I could listen to sports, practice moves I saw in match ups right before, lose weight AND work towards mental clarity all at once. It's easy to accidental stick around lost in that playful world until you're exhausted.

Then I'd get upset at myself. Maybe for missing an assignment when I knew I'd been in college too long for that shit. Or cause I was still lost in my life's direction and upset I couldn't just figure it out already. Or would fail to meet the expectations of the girl I liked. And I'd pound that ball for hours. Until I was beyond exhausted. Until I knew my body would have no serotonin to give me and would force me into a depressive episode. Cause how dare I keep fucking up? At least this is good for you.

And it wasn't. And it's not.

I'm a self harmer.

And it's something I kinda knew but didn't know the extent of until now. And how hilarious my usual first steps to getting out these situations can lead to the self harm I literally just talked about. Oh well. I've even used the herb as a self harm tool but that doesn't mean I'll give it totally up just yet. Just like everything in life, moderation right?

[helloalycia]

The Wrong Lifetime — Fourteen // Wanda Maximoff

chapter thirteen | story masterlist | main masterlist | wattpad | epilogue

author’s note: the last chapter is finally here! i hope you like it 😊

There were many times when I'd get distracted by thoughts of Wanda.

I could be going for a walk and remember that time she tripped over the flat pavement, almost bringing me down with her. I could be shopping for stationary and remember that time she almost bought the whole shop in one visit. I could be sitting by the water fountain and remember that time she tried to make a wish, only to drop her whole purse in it.

This time, I'd just woken up to the sun streaming through my curtains. I rolled over to an empty bed, hand brushing against the cold sheets as they expected more. For some reason, my subconscious decided to taunt me with a memory taking place just after we'd first made love in her room...

"I love you so much," Wanda told me with an enchanting smile.

I turned to face her, one arm comfortable under the pillow as the other rested outside the duvet, covering my bare chest. She raised her hand, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear before resting her hand there. I smiled at the contact and felt a warmth spreading all over me at the affectionate gaze she sent my way.

"I know, love, you only said it several times," I teased lightly, making her chuckle. "I love you, too, though, in case you didn't know."

She sighed contently, eyes closing. I admired how beautiful she looked with her hair sprawled over her bare shoulders, smile on her lips and freckles dusting her skin. Her touch still ghosted my body, taste still embedded between my lips, scent still wavering in my nose. She was permanent and I was certain she'd never leave.

"We should probably get up in case somebody comes to check on us," she said, interrupting my moment of admiration.

Her eyes flickered open slowly, blue with golden flecks glistening right back at me. Suddenly, anything that happened after this didn't matter to me. For once, I appreciated where we were, what we had and nothing more or less. No wedding, no future... just now.

"We should," I agreed regretfully, though her leg moved closer to mine and made me wish we could stay here longer. "I wish we didn't have to."

She smiled halfheartedly, hand moving down my cheek, caressing the skin, before they rested at my chin. She outlined my lips with her thumb before leaning forward and stealing a kiss.

"Can't we have a few more minutes?" she asked, lips brushing mine as she spoke.

She was making it very hard to deny her and judging from the playful smirk on her lips, she knew that.

"I guess we can," I agreed quietly, making her smile with satisfaction.

She rolled on top of me, capturing my lips in a kiss as her bare chest pressed to mine and my hand found her waist for support. As usual, the effect she had on me was indescribable and I couldn't imagine us ever leaving the bed. I knew for sure that I'd never been happier than I was in that moment.

It was such a perfect moment, but it haunted me. Nothing felt right without her. She'd overwhelmed all of my senses and remained, even when I didn't have her by me in person. The wedding was literally in a few weeks, but I hadn't managed to get over her.

How could I be her maid of honour when I could barely speak to her? Not without wanting to curl in a ball and cry afterwards. Every thing I did seemed to be filled with memories of her. She was inescapable.

A groan left my lips as I dragged my hand down my face with frustration. I couldn't let her get to me yet again. I had an interview with the local paper today. The last thing I needed was Wanda as a distraction.

So, with that lovely thought lingering in my mind, I dragged myself out of bed to get ready for the day ahead.

—

Press interviews weren't something I was used to.

Whenever Y/B/N had them with journalists for his books, I wasn't present. The only thing I heard was when he came back and told me how it went, then I proceeded to read about it in the paper the next day.

I was sat in Steve's office at Maximoff Publishing with Steve sat by my side, sending me a supportive smile. A journalist from the local paper sat before us, notebook and pen in hand as he watched on with curious eyes.

"So, Y/N," he began. "I'll start with the obvious, if you don't mind."

I glanced at Steve who nodded encouragingly. Clearing my throat, I looked to the journalist. "Sure thing."

He smiled and glanced at his notebook before asking, "How does it feel to be published? You're Pietro Maximoff's first female author."

"An author who happens to be female," I corrected, hoping I didn't come off as rude. "And that isn't something that should be new, in my opinion. It should be normalised."

He nodded, noting it down in his notebook. "Controversy... I like it."

Swallowing hard, I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

"I think the readers would like to know how you managed to score a publisher," he began his next question. "How exactly did you get noticed amongst the many authors that look to be published?"

Okay, not so difficult, I could answer that.

"Well, it was actually my–" I paused, Wanda's face flashing to mind. Okay, maybe a little difficult.

"Your...?" the journalist prompted.

I blinked, attempting to find my words.

"Wanda," Steve answered, starting me off.

I looked to him with grateful eyes before looking back to the journalist. "Right. Yes. Wanda."

"Your brother's fiancé, right?" the journalist asked for clarification.

"Yes," I answered, with an accidental clipped tone. "She... she was the one who gave my work to her brother. Asked him to look at it. And the rest is history."

The journalist was making notes as I spoke, nodding and humming in response, before looking to me with raised brows.

"So, the wedding," he said, making me wince subtly. "Are you excited?"

Forcing a smile, I said, "Ecstatic."

"How does it feel to have your two families uniting?" he asked, and I chewed on my lips, unsure how to respond.

"I– er–"

"Are you afraid that Y/B/N marrying Wanda may put him in Pietro's good graces?" he interrupted eagerly, leaning forward in his seat.

I opened my mouth to answer, but I didn't know what to say that wouldn't land me in hot water or make me look like a jealous sibling. Glancing to Steve questioningly, he thankfully noticed my speechlessness and gave the journalist a warning stare.

"Can you stay on topic, please?" he asked the keen journalist. "Y/N is here to talk about her book and nothing more."

"Okay, okay," the journalist gave in, making me exhale slowly. "What's next in store for your readers, Y/N? A sequel, perhaps?"

"I'm not sure," I answered truthfully. "I'm still in awe at the reception from the first one."

He nodded, note taking as he listened. "How many books do you think you'll get out of your career before getting married like your brother?"

I raised my eyebrows with disbelief. But I didn't get to answer as he was already moving onto his next question.

"Are you not worried about getting married? You know, men don't like smart women."

Narrowing my eyes at him, I clenched my fists by my side and was very close to strangling him before we were interrupted. A servant whom I recognised from home knocked on the door and earned everyone's attention.

"Oh, tell him to go away," the journalist said dismissively, waving his hand.

Steve looked to me and I plastered a bitter smile on my lips as I glanced at the journalist.

"I'd let him in if I were you," I told Steve, and he seemed to understand that I was about to pummel the journalist if I wasn't distracted, because he nodded and motioned for the servant to enter.

The journalist sighed rudely and I clenched my jaw before looking to the servant with a quirked brow. He looked out of breath, panting for air and face flushed red.

"Did you run here?" I realised, cocking my head to the side with confusion.

He nodded, straightening up and attempting to catch his breath. "Yes, Miss Y/L/N. Very sorry to interrupt, but your mother insisted I hurry."

My eyes widened. "Oh, God, what happened? Is she okay?"

"Kind of," he answered, before clarifying, "The wedding between your brother and Miss Maximoff has been cancelled."

"What?!" everyone in the room asked at the same time.

What did he mean the wedding had been cancelled?! Wanda and Y/B/N weren't going to get married?

"I don't know the details," the servant got out quickly. "I just know that your mother sent me to fetch you as soon as possible. She's distraught and requires you home immediately."

I nodded instantly, already making a move to stand up, then I remembered where I was.

"You mustn't publish anything you just heard," I told the journalist with a stern finger, but he seemed over the moon at the news.

"Go, Y/N, your mother needs you," Steve said, resting a hand on my shoulder as he, too, stood up. He side-eyed the journalist as he added, "I'll take care of this tool."

At that, the journalist's eyes widened with fear and judging from the smirk on Steve's lips, I knew things would be okay.

"Thank you," I told him, hugging him quickly, before looking to the servant. "I'll go now. Thank you."

After giving the servant some money to grab a treat and calm him from his breathless state, I got a carriage home with my mind racing a million thoughts a minute.

Why was the wedding off? My mum was distraught, according to the servant, so that could only mean it hadn't been her choice. Was it Y/B/N? Had he broken it off? Or maybe it was Wanda? But no. She'd never do that. She wouldn't hurt her family like that.

I wasn't sure what it was, but I definitely didn't know how to feel. This could either be heavily in my favour or go against me in the worst way possible...

When I arrived home, I found my family in the dining room. My mum was sat down, upset and shaking her head in her hands, tear marks on her face. My dad was sat beside her, rubbing her back soothingly and whispering calming things to her as my brother stood to the side, looking apologetic and uncomfortable.

"It's okay, mum, it'll be okay," he was saying to her from across the table. "It's not a big deal. I can find somebody–"

"Hello...," I began awkwardly, standing in the doorway and hesitant to move forward. "I just got the news from our servant. What happened?"

"Oh, Y/N, you shouldn't have–" my father began regretfully, before my mum slammed her hand on the table and glared at my brother.

"Y/B/N broke off the engagement!" she shouted with frustration.

"There you go...," my dad mumbled before returning his attention to his wife.

"Mum, I–"

"You did what?!" I cut Y/B/N off with raised brows. "You broke off the engagement? You dumped Wanda?"

He looked to me with sad eyes. "Y/N–"

"You idiot!" I shouted, feeling angry as I imagined the effect this must have had on the Maximoff family. "What the hell is wrong with you?! Why would you–?!"

He grabbed my waving arm and dragged me out of the dining room, making me shove him off when we reached the hall.

"Why the hell did you break it off?!" I yelled at him with a glare. "Why would you–"

"I didn't!" he whisper-shouted back, looking down at me with a downcast expression. "She did!"

My anger faded as I realised he was telling the truth. He looked genuinely hurt, eyes glassy and a frown on his lips. Wanda was the one to break it off? What?

"She broke it off with me," he elaborated quietly, so our parents couldn't hear. "She told me this morning. She said she didn't love me and that she couldn't marry me."

I swallowed hard, looking away from him momentarily. "Why did you tell mum and dad that it was you who broke up with her?"

He pinched his forehead with agitation. "Because it looks a lot less foolish if I say it was me rather than her. She doesn't love me, Y/N. She never did."

I risked looking at him, seeing his disheartened expression. Part of me felt guilty because I knew it was my fault this had happened, but I couldn't exactly say that to him, so I stayed quiet. He shook his head once more before walking away, leaving me standing there with shock.

"Er, Miss Y/L/N?"

I spun around when one of our servants approached me.

"I know now isn't the best time," she began, "but a letter came for you earlier. I left it on your desk as you were at work."

Nodding, I offered the servant a halfhearted smile before watching her leave. There was so much to unpack right now...

I headed upstairs and to my room to see what letter was here for me. But I was finding it hard to focus since all that was on my mind was the broken engagement and Y/B/N and Wanda... I needed to see her. What the hell was I doing here?

Planning on going to see Wanda as soon as possible, I grabbed the letter from my desk with the intention of reading it on the way out, but then I recognised the handwriting on the front and paused at my desk.

It was Wanda's handwriting.

I hurried to tear open the envelope, wondering what she had to say. It was no doubt related to the broken engagement.

Dearest Y/N,

I hope that you manage to read this letter before you hear the news, but knowing our families, you'll read it afterwards. In which case, you will know that I have broken off the engagement with Y/B/N.

It was the right thing to do. I chose to do it and I'm sorry if it's caused tension between your brother and your family, but I knew that I couldn't go forward with it when I'm in love with you. I'm not expecting you to come back to me and run away together all dramatically – this isn't about that.

I did this for myself. I'm not in love with your brother and I never was. He should have known that. He had to. Because if not, I'm afraid I broke his heart. And that's the last thing I wanted.

I also did this for you. I need you to know that I'm not heartless or horrible and I didn't expect you to sacrifice anything for me. Cheating on your brother with you... I never meant for this to happen, nor did I mean to get in the way of you both. Falling in love with you was completely accidental, but I don't regret it.

I don't want to go on too much, but I just needed you to know the truth, from me, that I am truly sorry for causing you such pain. I'm still in love with you and I'll never forget what we had. In another lifetime, maybe we could have worked. I'm certain that you were always perfect for me, as was what we had. You are magic, Y/N. I just wasn't powerful enough to keep you.

When I finished reading, I flipped the page over, expecting to find more, but it was blank. She'd ended it there and I didn't know what to think. My heart was racing, mind adjusting too slowly for my liking. She'd broke it off with him for me. I knew she loved me, but I guess I'd never realised just how much.

After recovering from my shock, I put the letter away and left for Wanda's, not bothering to tell my family where I was going. My dad was attempting to console my disappointed mother as Y/B/N moped around somewhere else, so I took that as my chance to nip out without them noticing.

I was trying to plan what to say to her – I didn't even know what I wanted to say to her. She said she didn't expect me to get back with her, and even without Y/B/N and their engagement in the way, we still couldn't be together. Not like how we wanted to be. But I wanted to. I wanted her. All this time without her had been heartbreaking – I didn't want to leave her again. I didn't know the specifics of how we would work, but we could work. We had to.

When I reached her house, it was her mother who opened the door. And that's when I realised that I wasn't sure if she blamed Y/B/N or her daughter for the engagement breaking apart.

"Iryna, hi," I greeted with a nervous smile. "I'm sorry if this is a bad time–"

"Y/N, I'm glad you're here," she cut me off, immediately pulling me in for a hug. "Thank you for coming."

I nodded with mild confusion, returning the hug, before pulling away.

"I'm so sorry for the pain Wanda has caused to your family," she said regretfully. "I hope that your parents aren't as distraught as we are."

I eyed her strangely, still not sure what Wanda had told her. Either way, I didn't bother questioning it as my urgency to see Wanda was overpowering my curiosity.

"It's okay, Iryna, there's no need to apologise," I reassured her. "My family will be okay... I just thought I'd come and check in on Wanda. It's a lot, what happened."

She nodded sympathetically. "Thank you, sweetheart. You're such a good friend to her." She stood to the side to let me in. "Go on up. She's in her room. Hasn't come out since this morning."

I offered a small, awkward smile Iryna's way before letting myself in and going upstairs to Wanda's room. My palms were sweaty and my mouth was dry – stupidly juxtaposed – when I stopped before Wanda's door. On the way over here, I still hadn't decided what to say. I figured it would just come to me when I saw her. One could hope.

Knocking on the door, I heard her sweet, accented voice give me permission to enter. My stomach flipped at the sound and I did as she said. Closing the door behind me, I turned and saw Wanda sat at a stool before a canvas.

Noticing I didn't say anything, she glanced over her shoulder casually, probably expecting a family member. She widened her eyes when she realised it was me and immediately stood up, smoothing out her paint-covered smock in an attempt to look neater. The simple action warmed my heart – she was adorable and I couldn't help but smile.

"Hi," I said quietly.

She cleared her throat, eyes darting around nervously. "Hey. I didn't– what are– hi."

I let my eyes wander, admiring her messy ponytail and the strokes of paint on her face that she definitely wasn't aware of. She was stunning, even with her confused eyes and pursed lips. Better yet, her hand was ring-free and I was reminded of the fact that she wasn't engaged anymore.

"I assume you're here because you read the letter," she began apologetically, but I didn't let her finish because the longer I was in her presence, the more I realised I wanted to kiss her.

Approaching her, I found her eyes before pressing my lips to hers. My hands cupped her cheeks as I held her close, revelling in her taste and scent and touch. She was quick to react, her fingers curling around my waist and tugging me towards her, squeezing our bodies together. Breathing became a problem and we regretfully had to pull away, but remained close enough to exchange breaths and swim in each other's eyes. I'd never been more relieved to see the colour green.

"You're not mad," she realised, looking between my eyes as if trying to search for some anger.

"How can I be mad that you broke off your engagement for me, knowing we can never be together in the way that you deserve?" I asked with disbelief.

She smiled beautifully, making my heart flutter in my chest. "You still love me."

I stole another kiss from her lips. "I never stopped, Wanda. Of course I still love you."

She rested her forehead to mine and closed her eyes peacefully. "Thank you for coming back."

I laughed, feeling tears brim my eyes. "I'm not leaving again, love. We'll find a way to make this work. I promise you that."

Wanda Maximoff deserved the world. And I was going to give it to her in this lifetime and beyond.

[aio-rya]

Silver Birthday Card — SSR Personal Story

NRC Scholar Newspaper.

Interview with the birthday person.

~Feat. Silver~

ーCongratulations! How's today's birthday party going?

Silver: I'm so glad to see everybody likes to celebrate this way.

That's why if I fell asleep half way through, I'd feel very sorry for all the students who prepared this for me.

I got enough sleep yesterday and, just in case, I drank lots of black coffee earlier.

Now I'm sure, today I won't fall asleep.

—Do you have any memories of your birthday in your home town?

Silver: Of course... Every year, my father would have taken a commemorative photo. With Sebek and Malleus, who came to celebrate. He'd shoot it all of us, side by side.

The photo we took last year is displayed on the desk at the dorm lounge. It is a wonderful and irreplaceable birthday present.

When I became my father's apprentice, he was taller than me but, he was overtaken by me before we'd noticed.

When I realised about it, I was quite surprised.

Since then, we'd be asking for Sebek to take out the plates from the top of the cupboard.

You can actually do it with magic, but... Every time I asked for it, Sebek looked at me with a proud face.

Perhaps, I guess he likes to take things from high places. You may call it a hobby, just don't get on his way.

That's why I'll keep on asking him for it.

ー・ ⚔︎ ・ー

Part 2

Silver: Zzzz... Zzzz...

—T-this...

Silver: Huh... I'm sorry, I felt sleepy out of a sudden. I slept well last night but it didn't work as it should...

I'm sorry. Please, if I fell asleep again, don't hesitate on waking me up.

—Understood. How's your school life going?

Silver: I'm often surprised on how different it is. Until the day I came to school, I've lived in the depths of the forest of the Valley of Thorns.

For example, electrical appliances. It's very helpful being able to do cleaning and washing without using magic. Even after the sun goes down, I was surprised lights were shut off. Back at home, the forest at night became pitch black.

But, what surprised me the most was... That food was delicious.

Apart from making it by myself, I grew up with the taste of homemade food cooked by my father... So I was deeply moved.

—Has anything else changed since you entered school?

Silver: I did make a lot of friends. Back on the Valley of Thorns, there was only Sebek around, we were the only ones sharing the same age group. Buying something along my classmates during the breaks. That was something I have never experienced in my hometown.

When we go shopping, I often buy whetstones and the latest self-defense tools at sight. While everyone often seeks for sweets and manga.

Though, I was not familiar with fashion and entertainment. That's why Kalim has thaught me a lot and that's been very helful.

Ah! Speaking of which, Kalim sometimes invite to his dorm banquets too... Eating some fruits from the Land of Hot Sands, riding over the maginc carpet, it has all been a very valuable experience. Is interesting to make contact with things you've never seen. With everyone else, it's a completely new experience.

I'm very grateful for my friends.

ー・ ⚔︎ ・ー

Part 3

—Please, tell me about your family.

Silver: I'm an orphan. but I have a father who raised me.

When I was little, I thought he was my real father. When I think about it now, he looks completely different.

Finally, one day, I noticed my father's ears and mine had different shapes. "Why does our ears have different shapes?", I asked him. Then, he explained at me that we were from different races. And, that's how I realised we were not blood connected.

"So, you did notice it!", he laughed a bit confused. When I noticed, I was already jumping out of my house while it was raining...

Eventually, I was found by my father and he brought me back home. After that, I got a fever and fell asleep. My father told me, "I can't help it". He laughed again and took care of me.

He must have been tired of looking for me in the rain, but he didn't leave me until the fever went down.

..... I. The smile of my father that day, is something I don't think I could ever forget.

..... That's it.

That was the father who named me Silver.

When I asked him for the origin of the name, he said "Your hair color!". I got a clear answer. I guess he is that kind of person, after all.

The name given to me by me beloved father, is the one I will continue cherishing forever.

—That's a wonderful parent-child relationship.

In regard of the hair that inspired him to name you, do you have any special care on it?

Silver: I have not taken any special care. I'm not particularly worried about my hairstyle, so I always try to cut it properly. Sometimes I cut it by myself, other times I ask for my father and my friends to do it.

...... By the way, I have been questioned about my hair before by senior Vil. I told him I was not doing anything on it.

I remember being scolded.

Perhaps it was because of that that, after I helped him with the Movie Appreciation Club some time ago, he gave me a special hair care set as a thanking.There were two types of shampoo on it. It also contained some creams and oils I couldn't understand how they worked.

Senior Vil said, "Beauty must be done evercyday"... but hair care is a hassle, it takes too much time and effort.

Certainly my hair had changed, I used what I got at hand, but it seemed I wouldn't be able to continue.

Now that I have finished it,I wash myself with the same soap from head to toe when I take a shower.

—Thank you! And once again, happy birthday!

[easyharpsichord]

warm and cool, shadow and light

probably 50ish layers on this one ö

gave up on trying to get the right colours down in the first go bc i am no genius, and just threw on all the layer modes and csp brushes! it was fun, though a small part of me nagged, "isn't it cheating to use all these tools and fast tricks to get the contrasts and colours and textures you want?" to which i turn (to this jester) and say, "ok, but what the fuck is 'cheating', you wont? skill in art is not a blanket number, the fields of art are so varied. also, sure, this probably means your exp points in digital art are way above those you've earned for traditional art but that's just how it is because you've become a laptop artist, and if you want to up those points you just have to take out your paint palette." to which i also say, "okay, but i don't really want to, partly because i'm lazy, i will eventually but i still want to keep it fun and loose and whatever and whenever i want, and anyhow all this lets me control values while fiddling around with effects, and it's quite quick anyway all this, all the principles of good representational art i'm trying to learn do go all out of wack while i'm struggling with mediums i'm less experienced with like gouache -- though i do want to get better at that too...: all to say it's comfortable, for now at least, let me be!" to which i lastly say, pinching my arm, "jesus van, you really are a bore," and to which i lastly lastly say, "rather a nerd than a junkie, right?!" to which i finally really do say, "both are lost obsessed losers!" and to which i ultimately say, "don't call myself a loser," and to that i really finally terminally theatrically say, "it's better to be honest-- laugh about it, loser!" and we laugh and laugh on the front porch.

part of this mood comes from the fact that i am halfway through aristotle and dante discover the secrets of the universe and i cannot stop crying and it gave me the hardest bout of raw sob i've had in a long time and i'm grateful. the pov for now is from a 15 year old boy who is repressed and kind and a wiseass and hates himself and i just feel so tenderly for all of this. to know that i really did hate myself as a teen too even if not for all of it, even if i didn't have a dante. to hear that voice and all that shame echoed back at me, even if it's not quite the same, is so satisfying in a nostalgic sort of way, such a familiar wretchedness. the sort that quiets the plain rattling off the checkbox list of healthy ways to love yourself and heal because you know you must love the you that hated yourself, and to do so, letting her hate herself in her youth, hate hate hate and hate especially the vanilla frosting optimism i've come to (begrudgingly) adopt... validation in the specifics, always, even after -- especially after you think you've learned it all and come to roll your eyes at the pastel instagram infographics giving you tips on how to love yourself. and to think i started reading this book because i saw a rec on r/suggestmeabook a while back and i shrugged and added it not thinking much; opening it sleepily on the mrt today, and then being a a whole, whole watery mess even on the bus all the way back, and -- well. here i've gone again, speaking so much and so out of turn. except there are no turns and my room is my echo chamber, but underneath and in my bookshelves digital or not there are passages of wind in and out. and here i am, reading, drawing, writing on occasion - the creative's dream sabbatical some would say, and of course it looks the part; but on the whole, i really am just flummoxed, and flimsy, and i am grateful for books like this that help me to see it. i can't wait to finish the book - i probably will, quickly, after this

how much of all this verbosity is just my loneliness? i can say it, can't i? i lived for a while with someone who liked to mock sincere feelings, probably because they didn't need to come close to theirs and could probably go on without ever needing the effort. and i felt so insecure around them because they would make fun of so many attempts artists took to reveal themselves and said their imperfections and drama were so cringey. i really don't like that word now, cringey. for now, i think i'm taking step backwards to come to the simple statement of who i am, who hasn't changed much since fifteen. was only swept about, put in some good places and some bad, got really lost and confused and insecure. but always, well, secretly-- dramatic. slow. sensitive. penchant for it... for that which i am always trying to salvage while running up against the day-to-day, i think... one day-- one day i will have better words.

grateful that i can spill alongside art on this private little tumblr -- everything so autobiographical and spilling over for me

[godsheadangel]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏IT IS SO TIME NOW TO [BOW DOWN PEOPLE] 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏👁GOD💫HAS BEEN MIGHTY PATIENT WITH YOU HIS✝ CREATED CHILDREN✝ SURELY [I] SAY, "LORDGODINHEAVEN💫HAVE MERCY UPON US" FOR YOUR POWER IS GREAT AND YOUR [GRACE IS MERCIFUL] TO THOSE OF YOUR OBEDIENT SPIRITUALLY💫AWAKENED ONES WORLDWIDE [ESPECIALLY] DURING [THESE LAST END DAYS🌅]EVEN WITH HIS SPECIAL💫ANGELS LEAVING THIS EARTH🌍

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

KOBE AND GIGI ARE DOING ALRIGHT ALONG WITH ARA, JOHN, KERI AND ALYSSA ALSO CHRISTINA, SARAH, PAYTON THEY HAVE MADE THEIR SPIRITUAL💫TRANSITION HAVE BEEN WELCOMED BY THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE POWERFUL HOLY💫PRESENCE OF 👁GOD💫

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

BY THE HOLY💫ORDER OF GOD💫HIMSELF THE FOLLOWING SPIRITUAL MESSAGES ARE SENT FROM HOLY💫HEAVEN💫FROM THEM

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

JOHN, KERI AND ALYSSA ALTOBELLI. JOHN SAYS, WE ARE HERE HAPPY AMONGST OUR SPIRITUAL💫FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHAT A GLORIOUS PLACE HOLY💫HEAVEN💫IS, WE ENJOYED OUR LIVES ON EARTH AND ALL THE JOY SHARED WITH ALEXIS AND J.J AND EVEN THOUGH WE ARE NO LONGER PHYSICALLY THERE WITH YOU 👁GOD💫WILL ALLOW US TO ALWAYS BE AROUND YOU IN SPIRIT💫AND FOR THAT WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL.

KERI SAYS, TOO OUR DAUGHTER ALEXIS A JOURNEY FOR YOU BEGINS OF STRENGTH AND WE HAVE NO DOUBT YOU WILL GROW SMARTER AND STRONGER AFTER YOUR TEARS HAVE LONG DRIED JUST KEEP REMEMBERING THAT WE'RE ALWAYS WITH YOU LOOK FOR SPIRITUAL💫SIGNS WE GIVE AS CONFIRMATION AND RELY ON J.J. WHEN YOU NEED TO RELEASE YOUR EMOTIONS WE LOVE💘 BOTH OF YOU FOREVER AND TO ALL OF OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS JUST KNOW THAT OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU JOHN AND I WILL ALWAYS TREASURE!

ALYSSA, GOD💫THANK YOU🙏FOR GIVING ME SUCH GREAT PARENTS, A GREAT BIG BROTHER AND BIG SISTER WHO ALWAYS BROUGHT SMILES TO MY FACE THEY ALWAYS SUPPORTED ME AND I SUPPORTED THEM TOO I'LL MISS OUR TIMES TOGETHER AS A FAMILY BUT TREASURE ALL OF OUR MEMORIES. DON'T FORGET TO DO THE DISHES J.J AND ALEXIS DON'T FORGET THE UNICORNS! I LOVE💘YOU GUYS ALYSSA!!!

💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞

SARAH AND PAYTON CHESTER. SARAH SAYS TO ALL OF OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS DON'T WORRY WE'RE MORE THAN OKAY GOD💫HAS SHOWN US SO MANY BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL THINGS YOU CAN'T IMAGINE LIFE HERE IS SO AMAZING AND DIFFERENT IT ONLY TAKES A FEW MOMENTS TO GET YOU USE TOO NOT BEING IN A PHYSICAL BODY THE FEELINGS YOU FEEL IN THE HEAVENLY💫LIGHT IS SO PEACEFUL CHRIS IT'S LIKE LOOKING AT A BIRD FLY FOR THE FIRST TIME, IT'S JUST SO BEAUTIFUL LIKE OUR TIME SPENT TOGETHER RAISING OUR CHILDREN WHAT A JOY AND EXPERIENCE, IT WASN'T EASY ALL THE TIME RILEY AND HAYDEN WE'RE HANDFULS SOMETIMES BUT SMART, HANDSOME AND STRONG JUST LIKE YOU, A MOTHER COULD NOT ASK FOR ANY BETTER SONS THAN OUR TWO THE JOY THEY AND PAYTON BROUGHT IN MY LIFE WAS OUR GIFTS FROM HEAVEN💫I WANT HAYDEN AND RILEY TO ALWAYS REMEMBER WE'LL ALWAYS BE AROUND GUIDING THEM AND WE'LL ALWAYS BE IN THEIR HEARTS FOREVER! TOO OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS YOUR SUPPORT AND LOVE💘 OVER THE YEARS MEANT MORE THAN YOU'LL EVER KNOW AND TO BOTH OF MY BROTHERS I LOVE💘YOU AND BEHAVE AND TO MY MOM YOU'RE THE BEST YOU TAUGHT ME HOW TO RAISE A LOVING FAMILY!

PAYTON, THANK YOU GOD💫FOR BEING SO GREAT AND PUTTING US ON EARTH🌎FOR A REASON THANK YOU FOR MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SPEAK IN HOLY💫HEAVENLY💫SPIRIT WITH OUR HEAD ANGEL KING👑RAY WHO TODAY🌅BRINGS OUR WORDS TO ALL OF YOU I'LL TRY AND SAY THIS BEST I CAN MY DAD IS THE BEST DAD IN THE WORLD🌎HIS HUGS ARE THE BEST, HIS LAUGH IS THE BEST AND HE HAS A HEART💓OF GOLD I'LL ALWAYS BE HIS BABY DAUGHTER AND MY BROTHERS ARE TWO OF THE CRAZIEST BROTHERS A GIRL COULD HAVE THEY TAUGHT ME A LOT ABOUT EVERYTHING AND WAS ALWAYS THERE WHEN I NEEDED THEM AND I PROMISE I'LL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR THEM TO MY FRIENDS AND CLASSMATES DON'T FORGET TO SMILE AND ENJOY YOUR LIFE YOU CAN DO ANYTHING IF YOU FOCUS AND REMEMBER TO BE HAPPY BEING WHO YOU ARE I'LL BE AROUND YOU PAYTON💓

💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞

CHRISTINA MAUSER SAYS, TO MY HUSBAND MATT, YOU ARE THE LIGHT IN MY EYES THAT PEOPLE SEE, THE JOY IN MY HEART IN THE PICTURES OF OUR FAMILY THAT PEOPLE AROUND US SEE AND ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THEY EVER HEARD WAS [HOW MUCH YOU LOVED💕ME] AND OUR ADORABLE KIDS! THEIR LOVE💓FOR US AND OURS FOR THEM WILL BE KEPT IN YOUR LOVING💓HEARTS💓AND IN MY SPIRIT FOR ALL TIME YOU ALWAYS PROTECTED US, THE MAN OF MY DREAMS COME TRUE DON'T YOU WORRY ROUGH TIMES MAY COME AND GO BUT TEACH OUR KIDS THAT GOD💫IS ONLY A PRAYER🙏AWAY! MATT, REMEMBER EACH TIME THAT YOU ENJOY THEIR FUNNY LAUGHTER I'LL BE THEIR AS WELL BABE.

💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞

ARA ZOBAYAN SAYS, 👁GOD💫THANK YOU FATHER FOR ALL I HAD ON EARTH MY BLESSED FAMILY OF FRIENDS AND MY BLESSED FRIENDS LIKE FAMILY YOU GAVE ME SO MUCH ALLOWED ME TO SEE AND DO SO MUCH WHILE INSIDE MY EARTHLY BODY THE GIFT TO TEACH AND LEARN FROM OTHERS, THE FAITH💫TO KNOW I COULD SUCCEED IN MY LIFE AND YOU KNOW MY FATHER✝ I COULD NOT AND WOULD NOT EVER PUT ANYONE'S PRECIOUS LIFE IN DANGER! I'VE TOLD PEOPLE WHEN ASKED, IF I WAS FEARFUL OF FLYING, THAT I RELIED ON YOU AND EXPERIENCE, ONLY A FEW KNOW OF THIS OUT OF THE MANY GREAT PEOPLE I'VE KNOWN! WHAT HAPPENED WAS TRULY UNFORTUNATE BUT YOU HAVE SHOWN ME, THAT WHAT WAS TO BE WAS TO BE, BECAUSE IT WAS WRITTEN BY YOU AND YOUR HOLY💫WISDOM FOR ALL THINGS THAT HAPPEN ARE FOR A REASON AND I THANK YOU GOD💫FOR ALLOWING ME TO SHARE MY SPIRITUAL💫WORDS TODAY TO ALL THE PEOPLE I'VE LOVED AND ENJOYED THROUGHOUT MY ENTIRE LIFE ON EARTH NOW MY SPIRITUAL💫JOURNEY💫BEGINS. TO MY FAMILY YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE KNOW THAT I LOVE💓YOU AND WILL BE WATCHING OVER YOU, ARA!

💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞

GIGI BRYANT#2 SAYS, TOO MY BIG SISTER NATALIA💜YOU ARE MY BLESSING💫COME TRUE, THE ENFORCER WHEN MOMMY😇 AND DADDY😇WASN'T AROUND, I DIDN'T LIKE IT BUT YOU DID IT TO TEACH ME RIGHT FROM [WRONG] LIKE THEY TAUGHT YOU BUT SOMETIMES YOU DID IT WHEN THEY WERE AROUND, OH NO I DON'T THINK SO! YOU, MADE ME LAUGH THE HARDEST YOU TAUGHT ME💜 HOW TO GIGGLE😝LAUGH WHICH IS BETTER TO ENJOY! WE DID THE SISTER THANG TOGETHER BECAUSE WE LOVED💕SOME OF THE SAME THINGS AND EVEN THOUGH WE HAD DISAGREEMENTS LIKE SISTERS DO I ALWAYS HAD YOUR BACK AND YOU ALWAYS HAD MY BACK TOO!

AS YOU MOVE ON WITHOUT ME BEING THERE PHYSICALLY YOU ALREADY KNOW BECAUSE WE SPEAK IN HOLY💫SPIRIT NOW I'LL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU AND JUGHEAD BIANKA💜AND PRINCESS💗CAPRI💜OF COURSE BIANKA💜IS OUR FEISTY PRINCESS TOO ALWAYS BOSSY BUT I GUESS I WAS THAT WAY TOO YOU. DON'T FORGET DAD😇WILL ALWAYS BE WITH ALL YOU AND JUST REMEMBER WHAT HE AND MOM😇TAUGHT US, TO ALWAYS WORK HARD AND I KNOW YOU WILL, AS [WE WATCH] YOU GROW INTO THE SUCCESS GOD💫HAS PLANNED FOR YOU IN LIFE✝ AND I'LL BE THERE BECAUSE [I] LOVE💓YOU AND YOU LOVE💓ME TOO! TO ALL OF MY CLOSE SISTER FRIENDS AND ALL MY CLASSMATES AND TEACHERS THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF MY WONDERFUL LIFE✝ REMEMBER 👁GOD💫IS ALWAYS WATCHING EVERYTHING WE DO!!! BE NICE TO EACH OTHER GIANNA BRYANT#2

💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞

KOBE#8 'THE BLACK MAMBA' BRYANT#24

TO 🏀LAKERNATION🏀AROUND THE WORLD YOU ARE, HAVE BEEN AND WILL ALWAYS BE MY FAMILY🙏YOUR INSPIRATIONAL WORDS OVER MY MANY BLESSED✝ YEARS OF LIFE✝ MOTIVATED ME TO BECOME MORE OF A BETTER PLAYER, BETTER FATHER AND A BETTER AND WISER HUSBAND! THE PAIN OF EACH DISAPPOINTING LOSS WE WENT THROUGH [TOGETHER] BROUGHT US SO MUCH CLOSER TOGETHER ESPECIALLY WHEN WE AS 🏀LAKERNATION🏀HAD TO REBUILD INSTEAD OF RELOADING LIKE WE WERE ACCUSTOMED TOO! EVEN THOUGH THE TEARS HAVE FALLEN AND MORE WILL FOLLOW JUST KNOW THAT I UNDERSTAND THEY ARE A DEEP APPRECIATION FOR ME✝ AND GIGI✝ AND OUR BASKETBALL FAMILY WHO WERE ON THE HELICOPTER SUNDAY.

GOD💫ALLOWED US TO SHARE SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL AND WONDERFUL WHICH IS A BIG PART OF OUR LIVES AND I HOPE THAT YOU ARE GRATEFUL I KNOW I AM AND WILL ALWAYS BE!!! THERE IS SO MANY BLESSED [PEOPLE] I'D LIKE TO THANK BUT NONE AS INTELLIGENT, BEAUTIFUL AND STRONG AS MY DEVOTED LOVING💓ANGELQUEEN👑 VANESSA💗MOTHER✝OF OUR [FOUR] VERY 🙏BEAUTIFUL PRINCESS💗DAUGHTERS🙏WHO BROUGHT THE GREATEST JOY TO MY BLESSED✝ AND GIFTED✝ LIFE✝ AS ME AND GIGI WATCH OVER THEM AS THEY GROW UP I KNOW THAT NO MATTER WHERE THEY GO IN [THE BLESSED CITY OF ANGELS😇] ALL OF 🏀LAKERNATION🏀WILL HAVE [THEIR BACKS] AS YOU ALWAYS DID FOR ME, MAN, [I] LOVE💓Y'ALL, YOU'RE THE BEST FANS EVER AND I THANK 👁GOD💫FOR YOU!!! AND TO MY TWO BEAUTIFUL SISTERS SHARIA😇AND SHAYA😇YOU ALWAYS MADE SURE THAT I KNEW I WAS LOVED💓GIVING ME ADVISE ON MANY THINGS NEEDED YOUR LOVE💓I WILL ALWAYS CHERISH. TRUST I'LL BE WATCHING OVER YOU TWO AND THE FAMILY LOOK FOR MY SPIRITUAL💫SIGNS💫LOVE💓YOU!!!

[TO ALL MY NBA BASKETBALL BROTHERS] I'M SO VERY PROUD OF ALL YOU GUYS FOR CARRYING ON THE TRADITION LEFT TO US BY GREATS WHO KNEW THE GAME, STUDIED THE GAME, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY THEY WORKED HARD OFF THE COURT TO REALLY ACHIEVE SUCCESS ON THE COURT! THERE ARE TOO NAMES TO MENTION BUT THOSE OF YOU WHO KNEW ME, KNOW HOW I FEEL [JERRY] YOU SAW SOMETHING IN ME THAT EXCEEDED THE VISION I HAD DEEP INSIDE MYSELF EVEN AS A TEENAGER AND I DO THANK YOU FOREVER MY SECOND DAD✝ WITHOUT QUESTION. MAGIC, MY IDOL, MY BIG BRO EVEN THOUGH I TOLD YOU THANK YOU MANY TIMES FOR OUR VERY DEEP CONVERSATIONS YOU HELPED SHARPEN MY TOOLS AND FOCUS FOR BASKETBALL AND MY LIFE✝ BEYOND BASKETBALL🏀KAREEM, LET ME SAY, OUR TALKS WERE ALWAYS INSPIRATIONAL I JUST TRIED TO LISTEN AND SOAK UP AS MUCH AS I COULD THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE, GOD💫THERE ARE SO MANY OTHERS LIKE MY COACH IN HIGH SCHOOL AND ALL OF MY TEAMMATES THERE AND IN THE NBA [I] STILL SAY ME✝ AND SHAQ'S😇SQUAD COULD HAVE [BEATEN] THE SHOWTIME LAKERS SQUAD MY BROTHERS BIG GAME, COOP AND B-SCOTT KNOW THE TALKS WE HAD LOL😄THANK Y'ALL FOR THE LOVE💓AND GUIDANCE AND GIVING THE SAME TO OUR CURRENT LAKERS [I ASK ALL] OF MY DEDICATED FANS TO SUPPORT LEBRON🏀 AND ANTHONY🏀AND OUR TEAM AS THEY FOCUS THEIR PROFESSIONAL TALENTS ON REPRESENTING [THE CITY OF ANGELS😇] ON THEIR QUEST TO BRING A TITLE BACK TO OUR CITY!!! NO HATERS, WE NEED THE TRUE POSITIVE SPIRIT💫OF ALL LAKERS FANS TO HELP UPLIFT THEIR SPIRITS💫

TO THE BUSS😇 FAMILY [YOU MEAN] SO MUCH TO ME, YOUR FATHER, DR. BUSS😇WAS BEHIND ME 100% AND TAUGHT ME SO MUCH AND I LOOK FORWARD TO TALKS WITH HIM LATER HERE IN HEAVEN💫AS I'VE ALREADY HEARD FROM WILT AND GEORGE THAT [CHICK AND JERRY] CAN'T WAIT TO SCHOOL THE NEWEST ANGEL ROOKIE! LOL

TO HEADANGELQUEEN👑JEANIE BUSS😇MERE WORDS CAN'T DESCRIBE HOW I FEEL YOU'RE MORE THAN A SAVY BEAUTIFUL BUSINESSWOMAN YOUR SIMPLY A CLASS ACT TO BE RECKONED WITH AND DUE MORE CREDIT THAN WHAT PEOPLE GIVE YOU I'LL BE WATCHING OVER OUR LAKERS TEAM🏀ALONG WITH YOU AND ROB AND OUR FANS WHO ARE ONCE AGAIN UNITED AND EAGER FOR A MEGA LAKERS🏀DAY🌅PARADE AND CELEBRATION🎉CHANTING I LOVE💜LA💛

LASTLY, TO MY PARENTS JOE AND PAM YOU LOVED💓ME UNCONDITIONALLY AS ME AND VANESSA😇NATALIA😇GIGI😇BIANKA😇AND LITTLE CAPRI😇LOVED💓YOU, GOD💫GAVE US TO EACHOTHER FOR A REASON AND FOR THAT I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL!

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

PLEASE CELEBRATE🎉ALL OF OUR LIVES🎉

TRUST OBEYING GODS💫ANGELS MATTER 👁GODS💫PLANS WILL NOT BE STOPPED!!!

BLACK MAMBA#24🏀MAMBACITA#2🏀OUT!

👉POSTED TUESDAY 1/28/20 333PM PST👈

IF I HAVE MISSPELLED ANY WORDS I DO APOLOGIZE ITS TIME FOR ME TO WIND DOWN BLESSINGS4 FOR ALL OF THE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO LOST A LOVED ONE!

👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁 👉JOHN BOLTON SHOULD BE CALLED TO👈TESTIFY IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE IN HIS NEW BOOK [DAMING INFORMATION] IN IT BLOWS APART DEMONTRUMPS👹DEFENSE!!!

JOHN BOLTON HAS SAID, [HE IS READY] TO TESTIFY!!! WHAT IS DEMONTRUMP👹AFRAID OF? AMERICANS🇺🇸KNOW IT IS THE TRUTH!!!

THE AMERICAN🇺🇸PEOPLE DEMAND THAT HE TESTIFY [LIVE] AND HIS NOTES📝SEEN!

👉GODSHEADANGEL.POSTHAVEN.COM👈

👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁

👁GODSAYS💫THE GOP SENATORS SWORE ON MY HOLY💫NAME✝

I AM HE✝ THY 👁GOD💫SHALL WATCH WHO STANDS UP FOR ME!!! FOR SURELY THEIR VERY SOULS DEPEND ON THEIR ACTIONS!!!

👉THESE TRULY ARE THE LAST END DAYS👈👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹

AS ALL AMERICANS🇺🇸PREDICTED THE EVIL GOP👹SENATE BLOCKED WITNESSES FROM COMING FORWARD WITH THE TRUTH NO DOUBT THEY LIKE DEMONTRUMP👹ARE CORRUPT!!! IN NOVEMBER AMERICANS🇺🇸WILL CLEAN UP THE🗑THE GOP SENATE!!!🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷

👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹👹

😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇

HEAVENLY💫ANGEL WAR SHIP STARNEISHA MADE HER APPEARANCE IN THE EARLY🌅 WEDNESDAY MORNING🌅HOUR OF 5:58AM OVER THE VAN NUYS SKIES🌌I WILL POST THAT VIDEO FRIDAY🌄! SHE SHALL GET CLOSER THURSDAY EARLY🌅MORNING BUT WE FOCUS ON THE [CITY OF ANGELS😇] HEALING RIGHT NOW LORDHAVEMERCY💫

😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇

👁GODSAYS💫MY CHILDREN OF MY WORLD UNDERSTAND THAT THE GIFT✝ OF GIVING💫

FROM YOUR HEART💓IS THERAPY💫FOR YOUR SOULS AND REAL HAPPINESS FOR YOUR SPIRIT💫 IF THOU, CAN SPARE WHAT I HAVE BLESSED✝ YOU WITH TO DONATE TO 👉THE FAMILIES OF THOSE LOST SUNDAY ALONG WITH MY TWO SPECIAL💫ANGELS💫 GIGI✝ AND KOBE✝ SURELY I WILL BLESS YOU WHEN THOU ARE IN NEED! SURELY I AM HE, THY LIVING 👁GOD💫DO SO TEST THOSE OF YOU [MY CREATED CHILDREN] FOR SURELY YOU MIGHT ASK YOURSELVES THIS OR THAT OR WHY THIS OR WHY THAT, TRULY IT DOES NOT MATTER FOR I ASK IT OF YOU!!! TRUST THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS AS THEY APPEAR FOR, TRULY ALL MY ANGELS DO WHAT I SAY!

📖📖📖📖📖LUKE 10:30-37KJV📖📖📖📖📖

THE GOOD SAMARITAN JESUS SPOKE OF!!!

[MAMBAONTHREE.ORG] DONATED IF U CAN

📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖

👁GOD💫IS ALWAYS TOTALLY IN CHARGE!!!

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👉GODSHEADANGEL.POSTHAVEN.COM👈

😇WAR SHIP BAYSHARA👽IN VAN NUYS, CA 👽RECORDED ABOUT 10+ MONTHS AGO👽

THE OBEDIENT ONES OF OUR 👁GOD💫THE SPIRITUALLY💫AWAKENED🌄WORLDWIDE SPEAK [TRUTH REALITY] THE ONES CALLED

[NONBELIEVERS] IN THE CITY OF VAN NUYS SEE BUT STILL DO NOT BELIEVE IN HIS HOLY POWER!!! [THE BELIEVERS] IN THAT CITY DO [KNOW AND SPEAK IT] THAT 👁GOD💫IS IN TOTAL CONTROL OF VAN NUYS, CALIFORNIA AND EVERYWHERE ELSE IN THE UNIVERSES HE✝ DID SO CREATE!!!

STOP🛑UNDERESTIMATING OUR 👁GOD💫FOR THE ARE CLOAKED DAY AND NIGHT!!!!!

🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷FRIDAY JANUARY 31TH 2020 0520HRS PST ⏳⏳⏳⏳⏳⏳⏳⏳⏳⏳⏳⏳⏳⏳⏳⏳⏳THE HOLY💫MASTER DID SAY UNTO HIS✝ POWERFUL STUDENT✝ CLEARLY MORE OF THEM ARE [SO STUNNED AND TERRIFIED] [THAN ACTUALLY STRONG] IN FAITH💫FOR SURELY ALL HEAVENLY ANGEL WAR SHIPS [CLOCKED OR UNCLOAKED] HOVERING IN THE DAYLIGHT🌅AND MOONLIGHT🌕SKIES WILL SO [ATTACK] UPON ALL THE MARKED DEMONS👹IN [FLESH] IN VAN NUYS, CA. AND WORLDWIDE🌎AND NO ONE ELSE!!!

YET, [OBEDIENT ONE'S NEED NOT WORRY] BUT SURELY MANY [EVEN THEM] HAD A SHOCKED LOOK UPON THEIR FACES OH YES

TRULY, [THE POWERFUL SPIRIT💫MOVING] [TRUTH REALITY VIDEO] OF BAYSHARA👽 SEEN OVER THE NIGHT🌌SKIES IN THE CITY OF VAN NUYS WITH OUR [ANGELS] MOVING INTO [FORMATION] AS CLOUDS☁30SECS INTO [THE TRUTH REALITY VIDEO] BEFORE THEY CAME TOGETHER AND FORMED THE ANGEL WAR SHIP BAYSHARA👽 WITH 6 WHITE LIGHTS MAKING [THEIR PRESENCE] [FELT AND SEEN] BEFORE CLOAKING BACK TO INVISIBILITY!!!

SO, IT IS HEAVENLY💫WISDOM💫NOT TOO POST [THE TRUTH REALITY] OF THE VERY DISTURBING VIDEO OF THE STARNEISHA👽FORMING OVER THE EARLY PREDAWN🌅 VAN NUYS SKIES🌌FOR SURELY SHE FORMS IN WAYS THAT WOULD CAUSE MANY NOT TO [SLEEP FOR DAYS🌅]

THE BAYSHARA👽[TERRIFIED ALL ENOUGH] BUT KNOW THIS TRUTH [IF] A DAY COMETH OR NIGHT FALLETH THAT THEY DISOBEY ME THY LIVING SPIRITUAL💫GOD💫BEFORE MY NEARING HOLY💫BIGSIGN✝ COMES I SHALL UNLEASH THEM UPON THAT CITY WHEN THEY LEAST EXPECT IT AS THEY WAG THEIR EVIL👹TONGUES!!!

LOOK AT THE [RED] VERY POWERFUL LIGHT BEHIND THE BAYSHARA👽BEFORE SHE [DISAPPEARS] THAT IS THE STARNEISHA👽👉THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S COMING!!!👈

TRUST, MY SPIRITUALLY💫AWAKENED🌄THE DEMONS👹IN [FLESH] WILL NEVER OBEY💫MY HOLY💫PLANS💫FOR IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME THEY ARE NOT SCARED THEY CLAIM WE SHALL SEE! FOR I AM HE✝

📖📖📖📖📖 [LUKE 21:11 KJV] 📖📖📖📖📖

AND GREAT EARTHQUAKES SHALL BE IN 📖📖DIVERS PLACES, AND FAMINES, AND📖 PESTILENCES; AND FEARFUL SIGHTS SHALL THERE BE FROM HEAVEN💫

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PESTILENCE: A DEADLY EPIDEMIC DISEASE

📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖FEBRUARY 1ST SATURDAY 2020🇺🇸 0730HRS

DEDICATION TO ALL MYANGELQUEENWIVES 👉SEEN GODSHEADANGEL1.POSTHAVEN👈

👁GODS💫HOLY💫PROMISES REVEALED🌅GODSHEADANGEL1.POSTHAVEN PAGES12&3

👉👉THERE IS ONLY 1 WAY!!! GODS WAY👈👈MANY WILL LOSE THEIR LIVES! GOD IS GOD!🤜🤜🤜🤜🤜🤜🤜💀💀💀🤛🤛🤛🤛🤛🤛🤛

GODSAYS💫10,000 DEMONS SHALL PERISH CURRENTLY THE DEATH NUMBER IS 🤜50💀👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁MONDAY FEBRUARY 3RD 2020🇺🇸 1320HRS👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁👁BLESSINGS4MYSEXYASS💕ANGELWIVES👑💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓

LU PARKER👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣ERIN MYERS👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣KAREEN WYNTER👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣LIBERTE CHAN👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣COURTNEY FRIEL👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣ELLEN LEYVA👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣⬆BEAUTIFULINMESMERIZINGANGELBLACK⬆ SOSEXY🔥WEARING THATANGELICLOOK💫

💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

BEVERLY JOHNSON👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣BEAUTIFULINMESMERIZINGANGELHOTRED SOSEXY🔥WEARING THATANGELICLOOK💫

💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

TAMRON HALL👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣BEAUTIFULINANGELBROWNANDPOKADOTS SOSEXY🔥WEARING THATANGELICLOOK💫

😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇

UNFORTUNATELY, I CAN ONLY POST THESE ANGEL NAMES TODAY. IF, I MISSED YOU PLEASE FORGIVE ME BUSY IN HOLY SPIRIT

~YOUR👑HEADANGELKINGHUSBANDRAY👑

[acaseforpencils]

The Ink Well Foundation.

The Ink Well Foundation is a non-profit that helps bring smiles to the faces of children facing adversity such as illness, neglect, and abuse. I cannot begin to express how big of an honor it is to have Elizabeth Winter on Case—this interview brought me to tears, and it means a lot to share her message on here, so that you all can help more children in need to be able to connect with this incredible foundation.

Bio: I am the Founder and Executive Director of the Ink Well Foundation. Growing up, I had cancer my entire childhood—it was a rare cancer that kept getting misdiagnosed, which meant a fair amount of biopsies and days in the hospital, and finally major surgery where I was told I might wake up without a leg. I am very fortunate in that the doctors were able to remove all the cancer without amputating, and I have been cancer-free since I was about 20 years old. 

That experience gave me a lot of empathy and compassion for kids facing long, isolating hospital stays. There were also other issues during my childhood: I experienced a lot of abandonment with a mother who just could not play the role of mother, and who eventually died when I was fifteen. In general, I just had a pretty severe lack of affection and emotional support growing up. All that made me very tough, in some ways too tough and it wound up creating only further isolation and pain. 

As an adult, I saw that pain mirrored in other children's eyes and I began to seek out a way to connect with them, to help them and myself learn to nurture and heal together. I strongly feel that genuine human bonding can fuel both physical and emotional healing. I also think getting out into nature and carrying that same respect to all wildlife helps us to become humble and connected in a very powerful way, so we stress those ideas in our work often.

In 2005, I was working in animation in New York City, and I stood up in a meeting at work one day, and asked if any of the other artists would like to come along with me to draw with kids facing illness and hardship. A couple people raised their hands, and we went together to Gilda's Club out in Brooklyn (that club house has since closed, but we still go to the one in Manhattan). The artists who came along in those early years, like Rami Efal and Ray Alma, Pedro Delgado and Sergei Aniskov—those people are all still volunteers today! That says so much to me about the kind of people this work attracts. We've all become like family over the years and I love those guys so much. 

It all began at Gilda's Club, but then I reached out to places like the Ronald McDonald House, St. Mary's Hospital and Bellevue Hospitals, and we slowly but surely became accepted and welcomed at healthcare and at-risk support centers all across New York, because the kids loved what we did, and at then end of every event they were begging us to come back. So we always did! That is the true mark of success for me every time, when the kids are yelling at us to get back there as soon as we can.

A few years ago, I learned about the great organization on the Upper East Side, The Society of Illustrators. Their Executive Director, Anelle Miller, connected me with all these other great artists like Stefano Imbert, Bil Donovan, Abby Merrill, and Elana Amity (who is now our Event Director at Mount Sinai Hospital, where she hosts a monthly live drawing call-in show that beams to all the kids' hospital rooms at once). They draw along with us and call or text in with questions and comments. It's hilarious and adorable. We also connected with the great people of the National Cartoonists Society, and wonderful artists like Ed Steckley, Adrian Sinnott, Howard Beckerman, Tim Savage, Marty Macaluso, Joe Vissichelli and so many more. 

After MTV Animation New York shut down, pretty much all my colleagues and I from great shows like Beavis and Butthead, Daria, The Head, and Celebrity Death Match all moved out west. So I had this great group of talented friends still living there, and based on the Ink Well's popularity in NYC, I thought, let's give it a shot there too! I reached out to my former colleague from Rugrats and Wild Thornberrys, Joseph Scott, and asked if he'd be interested in running things there. He is now heading up all our operations in L.A. and he is just the most phenomenally kind and talented person on earth. With his art skills he could do whatever he wanted but he devotes a huge amount of time to the kids we work with and I'm so moved by his giving spirit and boundless good energy. And Michael Daedalus Kenny is also stepping up in a leadership role as our newest Event Director, we've got amazing artists like Marla Frazee of Boss Baby genius, Monica Tomova from SpongeBob, Jeanette Moreno, king of The Simpsons, Chris Harmon from Futurama, Ashley Simpson from Phineas and Ferb, Christian Lignan of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, graphic novelist, Jeremy Arambulo and so many others so we're in great hands there. I just wish the traffic weren't such a problem! It really is tough to get around that city, unlike NYC where there's a decently functioning subway that goes to all our locations, so getting around is no real trouble comparatively.

Tools of choice:  Our events are usually very handmade by design so that the kids can feel like they could do all of this easily by themselves. So we come up with themes like, “Who is your Superhero?,” and we ask the kids to focus on their strengths and what superpowers they wish they would have, and we draw their portraits as such. We are not art therapists, but we feel these event themes help to make the kids focus on positivity and their potential, and therefore help them to bond and heal. 

We do sometimes get more elaborate, like when we teach stop motion, claymation, and we once even taught them how to build homemade rockets on the roof of Bellevue Hospital! One of our Event Directors at the time, Nathan Schreiber, used to come up with the most fantastic science-focused events. He now runs a company called Science Ninjas, that helps kids learn about science with fun card games. But usually it's simple by design.

We are extremely fortunate to have Blick Arts as a sponsor. Their support enables us to provide each child with their own art kit after each event so that they can keep creating on their own after they learn new skills with us so thanks to them we have a lot of the arts tools we need.

Tool I wish existed: I think we do great working with anything we've got lying around- we emphasize the potential of just about anything to become art: we often create characters out of inanimate objects, make flip books, sculptures and puppets— using everything from card stock to socks to toothpicks and gum drops. We keep it accessible and inventive. 

How can we support The Ink Well Foundation? Because our volunteers are by definition "the artists behind the kids' favorite books, films, comics, and TV shows," we don't solicit volunteers from the general public. We do have an online application on our site, so other professionals that meet our criteria in the illustration, animation, and cartooning industries are welcome to apply there. 

What the general public can do is to help us spread the word so that more children can see that others are going through what they're going through, and also so that they see examples of adults believing in them and encouraging them. We try to promote the idea of art as self-expression and a way to get through trying times, ideally together. Connectivity and encouragement are critical to healing, and honestly, to just building a better world. So we talk about that a lot on our social media and at the events themselves. We also honor the kids' intelligence by talking about art in general there— we highlight classic and new artists and ideas and encourage them to learn from those masters as they develop their own skills.

Because we are a very small 100% volunteer-run organization, we focus on giving the kids the greatest events possible, and sometimes that means we don't have a lot of time for social media, self-promotion, and fund-raising. So spreading the word is huge and we are always extremely grateful for, and in need of, any financial donations. 

Where are Ink Well Foundation events held? We operate in New York City and Los Angeles because that's where the top artists in our fields are concentrated. We go to hospitals and at-risk support centers like Ronald McDonald House, Gilda's Club, Bellevue, St. Mary's, Mount Sinai, Childhelp, Covenant House and more. You can see the full list here. 

How can children who don't live near Ink Well Foundation events benefit from your Pen Pals Program? This is another reason we want people to spread the word. Loved ones of a child experiencing serious illness or hardship, who is physically or geographically unable to attend our events, can apply to have a special artwork sent straight to them. We ask the kids what their favorite animated films, TV shows, or illustrated books are, and then we have an artist who actually worked on that production make something tailored to that child. We then frame it up, and send it off to them by mail. 

We've done this with artists from SpongeBob, Captain Underpants, and just a week ago, we delivered a beautiful drawing of Curious George that our Event Directors, Franz Palomares and Lisa LaBracio (both of whom worked on Curious George) lovingly made. This was for a girl named, Maryanne who lives in Florida. She suffers from a rare disease called, vein of galen malformation that has led to brain damage and vision loss. She is unable to talk or walk or eat through her mouth and she suffers seizures but she understands everything around her, and she can feel texture. So Franz and Lisa made her Curious George playing in a sand box, and they glued real sand into the picture, so that Maryanne could feel that, and enjoy the art on multiple levels. Maryanne's mother, Sandra, said that she was thrilled, and that she loves to hold it. 

Our hearts are full being able to share these works with kids who need that moment of light, and that knowledge that an adult they admire, someone who doesn't even know them well, can care enough about them to take the time to create careful, tailor-made artworks just for them. We hope that helps to bring a smile in the moment, and build self-worth long term.

Misc. I'd like to mention that everything we do is 100% free of charge. No one gets paid, no money ever changes hands for the art. We have brilliant artists like Peter de Séve who is on our board and attends many events, while also creating characters for Ice Age, The Little Prince, and all his New Yorker covers. He could get a mint for his works, but he comes down and does this for free, and that's a testament to the power of that loving connection we all feel when we are just selflessly helping one another.

I feel this most acutely when I'm working with youth who have suffered abuse and neglect. We have an Event Director, Jane Archer, who leads our work at Bellevue Hospital. Many of those kids are there because they have been through unendurable trauma, and Jane connects with them beautifully. She begins with a meditation where we all envision our strengths together, we talk about our talents, and hopes for a brighter day, we imagine embodying those gifts and then we gently, patiently, ask the kids to help us draw characters step by step. Many kids start out very suspicious and resistant, even angry. But by the end of the events they are almost always laughing and teasing us, and they don't want to stop creating. It is my greatest joy to experience that transition and I hope we may continue to spread this support and faith in one another for many years to come.

Website, Etc: 

We are @inkwellkids on every platform:

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Find more posts about art supplies on Case’s Instagram! There is a Twitter as well. If you enjoy this blog, and would like to contribute to labor and maintenance costs, there is also a Patreon!