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.
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
I bought my first kit over 10 years ago, the small turquoise box, it has many scars and bruises, and I did buy your new larger box, however the smaller one is my travel kit and I cherish it. You and Rick changed my life, inspiring me to be grateful every day and express that gratefulness with Zentangle. I have helped people going thru medical issues, death of loved ones, and friends looking for something to do as they retire and want a purpose in life. Someday I want to be a CZT, right now I do not charge for my one on one sessions, not until I have earned the right as a CZT. I had my thumb re-constructed (I fell cross country skiing) after 9 months in a cast I began to draw again. I have full use of my hand, so will you!!!!! Thank you for giving so much to the world. You make a difference and light up our lives. sherie
Sherie Falink on
Hugs, Gale Sherman
Gale sherman on
You continue to be an inspiration in so many areas of life outside of the art world. Your positive forward-looking attitude, tenacity, determination, resilience (and probably another 30 things) are inspiring. I believe that every little and big wack you get in life makes you stronger, BUT only if you embrace it. You have done this to the fullest and are an inspiration, especially to all of us who are 70+
Hugs, Gale Sherman
Gale Sherman on
Lesley R Noble on
Dawn Adams Czt37 on
Thank you, Maria, for sharing your story! You are an inspiration! My story is not nearly as dramatic; I started Zentangle during the pandemic because my bowling league was no longer meeting and I had recently met a local CZT who was offering online classes. What a blessing that turned out to be! Now, I can’t imagine my life without Zentangle! I recently retired from a stressful job and Zentangle saved me during those last 18 months of working. It continues to provide me with a creative outlet, good friends, a wonderful community of fellow tanglers, and I am very grateful! I wish you a peace-filled recovery!
Lynnette Saeger on
Katrina Thiebaut on
Thank you for sharing your story Maria. It is so important to remind ourselves of the inherent value in ‘one stroke at a time.’ In this crazy, busy world that sometimes gets forgotten. Your story – and the story of the woman in Wales – did just that. Thank you. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Lesley Miller on
A tangling trooper, you are indeed! Sending wishes for speedy healing!
Leslie Barr on
Sue Corfman on
Dear Maria
I wish you only the best and a full recovery soon. I admire your work and I am so grateful that Zentangle found me. Thank you also for all the wonderful but sad experiences you share with us. I myself suffer from recurring severe depressive episodes and tangling always helps me overcome these times and feel joy and gratitude again. Thank you so much for you and Rick coming up with this fantastic method. It is so great to hear about all the stories and how Zentangle helps to heal.
All the love and lots of courage and patience as you continue on your life’s journey 🫶🏼
Rahel CZT on
Heather Toswell on
Hope You Recover Quickly. on
I wish you a good recovery or adaptation to draw again wholeheartedly and Keep up the love for each other and for Zt and for us all!
ArjadLH on
Dear Maria, I am sending you many wishes for a complete recovery! i am eternally grateful to you and the Zentangle family for creating Zentangle—this amazing art form-meditation practice-growth process. And sometimes, I am even more grateful for how you have imbued Zentangle with the practice of kindness, gentleness and caring for one another. All around the world. Thank you!
Mary Helen Fein on
Jane Elaine on
I’m so inspired to hear your story and so happy you are continuing to teach by example!
Jackie Saunders on
Joyce Rosenberger on
I was at the Wales retreat and heard the young woman’s story. Tears rolled down my cheeks too. Zentangle has brought her so much and it was so beautiful to see her confidence grow during this retreat. I am grateful to experience this. She’s moving on from this experience and you know what: she will get there. Like you do Maria, there are only opportunities. If you are able to see them. Thank you for sharing your story.
Irene Lammerse CZT on
Brenda Shaver on
One stroke at a time has gotten me through two cancer surgeries, Immunotherapy, and radiation in the past year and half —I continue to get stronger with each day . I am so grateful to have been a Zentangle student since 2014 .
Loved project pack 21 —continuing to complete with challenges. Though I have reserved one page for my paternal grandmother—LAVENDER will be my tribute to her & the lovely scented wands she gave me as a child to fill my room with its lovely scent.
Continued healing to complete recovery is my prayer for you . Blessings to you & your family.
Penny on
As I get older my family inheritance of hand arthritis worsens (sometimes noticeably every day). This has worried me about how my art practice will be affected. When I read about Renoir and how he painted with a brush strapped to his hand when his worsening rheumatoid arthritis meant he could no longer grasp, it inspired me to realize that my art will be accessible in some fashion no matter the ravages of time. Your story is another inspiration I will keep close when I am struggling with the shaky lines or aching fingers. As with many others Zentangle helped me build a creative life where art is an inseparable part of what I am. Thank you and blessings for your recovery.
Deb Murray CZT30 on
Dear Maria, How kind and courageous of you to share your story. I was worrying about you when you weren’t drawing for PP21. I’m so very sorry for your suffering through that trauma, but so thankful for the little rays of hope peeking through as you lean on our good Lord and are staying with “one stroke at a time” which is the beautiful philosophy you’ve all taught us! Your new drawing is fantabulous as always!!! Love you Mrs Zentangle ❣️🌷🦋🙌
Susie Talbot on
Dear Maria, First, glad to hear that you are on the mend, “stroke at a time”. Keeping you in my prayers. My Zentangle journey started in 2017 with a monthly CZT’s class at the library. It wasn’t long before I had at least one tile, pen, graphite & tortillon with me where ever I went. During COVID ,library closed, I began my on-line journey with Project Packs & other YouTube videos daily. As we were coming out of COVID in May 2021, I fell in my own kitchen & fractured tibia & was again homebound for 3 months, “one tile” at a time I continued Tangling daily. By the time I mended & library classes resumed I was thinking of a CZT class so I could share with others; maybe Rehab, Nursing or Senior Centers (even though I’m a Senior myself).The time has come. Looking forward to CZT41 Seminar this month.
Johnifer Baker CZT41 on