Maria writes:
A couple days ago, Rick and I spoke online to a Zentangle gathering in Wales. Just before the end, one of the facilitators asked if anyone wanted to tell us how practicing the Zentangle Method had changed their life. One woman raised her hand and she told her story. She described how, after a serious accident and an extended coma, a friend gave her one of our Zentangle books and encouraged her to try it. She did. And she proceeded to tell us how tangling helped her to recover, to move through her pain, and to regain her passion for life.
I was moved to tears. I thought, if she could tell us her story, surely I should be willing to tell mine. Though my story is much different than hers, I want her to know how much she inspired me to share my story.
A few weeks ago, I was shopping for dinner guests. Just an ordinary day, nothing special. As I rounded the bend of the last aisle in the grocery store, I felt a bit fuzzy. I have never passed out in my 70+ years, so I soldiered on. Next thing I know, I am speaking to a very nice EMT, doing what seemed like 90 mph in an ambulance with questionable shock absorbers. One thing led to another, and within a few hours I had a pacemaker implanted in my chest.
I know this may sound scary and all, but getting the pacemaker didn’t bother me in the least. What really bothered me was that in the crazy kerfuffle at the super market, I injured my right arm and hand. I kept telling the EMTs and nurses and doctors that my arm was broken. It was really painful. And you know how important that arm and hand are to me!
It turned out that I did not break my arm. But in the fall, I whacked it hard enough to cause some nerve damage. When I first returned home, I couldn’t fully use either hand . . . I was told not to move my left hand much and my right (and dominant) hand hardly worked at all. Hmmmm. I sat around for a few weeks, reading and polishing up my left-handed writing and tangling. All the doctors told me that nerves heal slowly and I would eventually get my hand back . . . not to worry.
I like to think I’m a patient patient, but I gotta say, those days were long! Then, one bright sunny morning (and there weren’t many of those during that time), I awoke with a glowing attitude of gratitude. I went immediately to my studio and there, perched on my desk was a tan Opus tile. I secretly felt that Rick (with all love and inspiration) strategically placed it there, thinking it would get me to try something, anything.
So, I grabbed a few 05 and 08 Microns and “attached” a pen to my hand with my “handy” Zentangle blue-green elastic bands I always (God knows why) keep on my desk. I now believe it was part of His grand plan.
It wasn’t the perfect solution, but it was a start. The tangling was quite shaky, but consistently shaky, like I had WAY too much of Rick’s amaZing coffee. The elastic bands were uncomfortable, like using crutches when you break a leg. It was a slow process.
I worked big, which I have done in the past, and slow (something I haven’t done in the past!) in 10-15 minute intervals. I was unable to use the small graphite and chalk pencils, but I figured, one stroke at a time, right?
We have a virtual seminar coming up soon. I will decide closer to that day whether or not to draw on camera. But, my dear tanglers, I can talk. So I will accompany Rick, Martha, Molly, Julie and others in a commentary position, adding my 2 cents when inspired.
So . . . thank you all for your patience and good thoughts to keep me on the straight and narrow, or should I say, the curvy and exuberantly creative?
Yup. No mistakes.
Rick adds,
When I got to the hospital and Maria said she couldn’t move her right arm, perhaps you can imagine the thoughts and emotions that flooded through me at that time.
But, fast forward a few weeks to now and I can say that we have been granted a focused opportunity to put our Zentangle philosophy into real life practice . . . particularly “gratitude” and “Anything is possible one stroke at a time.”
Maria’s response during this saga is an inspiration. Throughout it all, I never heard her complain or give voice to any worries about the future. Perhaps she did that for the benefit of all of us around her, but then, all the more respect and admiration! She took to enthusiastically imagining all the things she could do without the full function of fine motor skills . . . like painting on big canvases which she so enjoyed when she painted the clouds for our photo booth at seminars.
And I can report that every day continues to show improvement. Maria’s response and spirit is an inspiration to us all. No matter what happens, we each always have choices of what to do next. And some of those choices are to choose to be grateful (or not) and to create something beautiful (or not).
Maria and I are so grateful for each other, for our family, for our friends in our amazing and wonderful Zentangle community . . . and for our angels.
Rohini Chopra on
Your work, attitude and words are always so inspiring, Maria! Thank you for sharing the story. I was wondering what was going on after I heard the PP21 Intro video. Glad to see you doing so well and sending healing vibes and love. ❤️
Anica on
Anonymous on
Maria Vennekens on
Dear Maria
I have been worried about you since Project Pack 21. But I could not imagine how hard things were happened. Because you gave me your usual laugh and charming chatter, so ….
And now I am fascinated and encouraged by your opus tile. I really love this 💜
I wish you a speedy recovery from the bottom of my heart.
I am sure all zentangle lovers in Japan 🇯🇵 feel the same way. (we are not used to sending messages in English)
Mika Shiohara on
Lisette on
Well done Maria, on your ingenuity with the rubber band, and your patient / impatient perseverance. Your Opus tile is a treasure – and probably even more than many with smoother lines, because it tells such a story. As someone who has had to go without tangling at times of injury I know the feeling of loss, and the wonder and light when it returns. Best wishes for your ongoing recovery.
Jem Miller on
Thank you for sharing. Wish you a speediest recovery! ❤️
Anu Singh on
Sue Zanker…from Queensland, Australia on
Veronica Hodges on
Dear Maria
回復をお祈りしています!!
I pray for you… I send lot of love!
Noriko Kikuchi on
Rachel Lauze on
Carol Sheridan, CZT19 on
Liane Margis on
Oh Maria, thank you for sharing your story. I wish you a full recovery! So much about the Zentangle process teaches us about how to handle life as it happens. Gratitude for your positive spirit and prayers for healing.
Diane Harpster on
Anita M. Jones on
Michele Beauchamp on
Mucho ánimo y hasta siempre!
Eglee Torres on
Mary Lindeblad on
Thanks for sharing your scary experience with all of us. It is so good to know you are on the mend. Thanks too, for the inspiration of the pen and the elastic band! I have arthritis in both hands, as well as peripheral neuropathy. Sometimes the numbness comes out of nowhere, and I drop my pen. But the photo of your little blue band has shown me a possible solution. Today has been quite the Zentangle Day for me! I went to my regular Tuesday class at the Senior Center. Came home to find a new Zentangle book in my mailbox. And then I sat down to read my email and found your scary, heartrenching, but joyful tale of “Zentangle to the rescue!” As well as the inspiration of similar shared experiences of other tanglers around the globe. What a gift Zentangle has brought to my life! My heart is full of Gratitude and Appreciation for this wonderful, supportive, worldwide community that you both created and continue to nurture! Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery, “one stroke at a time!”
Jessica L DykesCZT on
Your belief in yourself and your creativity is truly inspiring to anyone who has felt like they were in a deep hole. I am so sorry for the trauma you went through, but feel relieved and grateful for your resilience, and the result is simply beautiful. May you, along with Rick, Molly, Martha and all the Zentangle team continue to bring your empowering creativity to all of us who appreciate what you do.
Gouri on
June Stevens CZT on
MaryEllen Ziegler Czt 33 on
I am so happy you are recovering so quickly. It’s so scary when something like this happens and threatens your creativity. I had 2 strokes 30 years ago and retraining my brain was quite a task. You will get there, just patience and definitely take one stroke at a time! You’ve got this!
Robin Steinbeck on
Maria, thank you so much for sharing your story. You are a positive and wonderful role model. Your will to move forward and not be thwarted are awe inspiring. I bet this is why you were not drawing with Rick, Martha and Molly during the videoing of Project Pack #21. But you were there adding your wonderful comments. You will be back full steam ahead. You go for it. Many prayers for you and your whole family.
Karen Bunnelle on