May 1 2019:
Today was a beautiful day to mail a “Rainbow of Emotions” print!! Thank you Steve for supporting Lillian’s fundraiser! 💗🎉🎉🎉💗
Would you like to help support Lillian’s fundraiser? Go here to learn more … 2019 Chromosome 18 Conference
THE FLYING UNICORNS CREATE A RAINBOW
The unicorns weren’t always flying. One day one of the unicorns found a flying powder and they started flying! Shortly after they found a rainbow can in the sky. They painted rainbows in the sky.
But one day they couldn’t fly in the sky. Suddenly they found a clue and they were off to find their powers.
The people began wondering what happened to the unicorns. The delivery person had come out of nowhere and said that the unicorns lost their powers.
Some of the people began murmuring, “Terrible.” They decided to help them. When they got there, the unicorns explained everything.
They finally found the final clue along with their powers; as well as who put them there.
The unicorns discovered that it was the small creatures. After that, they showed no one their powers. They kept secret all the time.
(Written April 2014 at 12-years-old) – ©from the book, Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories by Lillian Darnell
April 2 2019:
(Picture of the book traveling on the train in The Netherlands)
Lillian and I were a guest yesterday on a sweet and kind book blogger/reviewers website. I’m biased; yet, I think it’s a great article! Titled, “Live Your Life as a Fairytale” …
If it speaks to you, we’d be grateful for your time reading it and liking or commenting. Thank you!!! Link below …
Sharing for Lillian Darnell (my daughter for those who don’t know) …. She is one determined being with this every year. She will continue to ask me for ideas every other day with a determination and steadfastness that rivals a future Olympian in training …
“Hey, everyone! For this year’s fundraising efforts for my family to attend the Chromosome 18 Conference in Colorado Springs, I decided to make customized poems. Here’s some information on the poems:
The poems will be nature themed, fairy themed, mermaid themed, or unicorn themed. Every poem created will be different and uniquely yours! You can get a decorative border around the poem, incorporating recycled materials; or simply the poem emailed to you.
Now, here’s some information on what the Chromosome 18 annual conference means to me:
The Chromosome 18 conference means a lot to me because I get to meet new friends and spend time with old friends. It also means a lot to me because I get to travel to a new city with my family.
The Chromosome 18 conference helps me get over my fears and my emotions. It helps me feel brave, courageous, and enjoyable. Here’s an example: In July 2017, when my family and I were inside the airport, I was fearful, nervous, tired, and afraid; yet, the view I got from the airplane was amazing and it was all worth it.
Here’s a poem as an example:
Butterflies dash and play
Within the golden sunbeams
Dancing in the afternoon sky.Butterflies fly in the sky like a colorful moving rainbow
Glimmering in the sky.
The sky sparkling like water.Butterflies dance freely along
the water.
Water sways as it’s greeting the butterflies.©2019 Lillian Darnell
You can still purchase prints of my abstract artwork also.”
from me: Lillian has a condition called 18p- which means she is missing the short arm of chromosome #18. The ways in which this manifest for her are: difficulties with articulation, balance and depth perception issues, chronic pain, difficulties with handling strong emotions, and irrational fears and worries.
Her only friends are through the Chromosome 18 group. She always chooses one fear to conquer leading up to the conference. This year it is her fear of taking a shower (she’s always taken baths). She’s nearly conquered it already! The conference is like one long therapy session for the entire family as there is a track for parents/caregivers, a sibling track, and a self advocate track.
Feel free to share this with any you know who enjoy supporting artists and fundraisers.
(Photo of Lillian on one of our date days; and a message from Lillian, table centerpiece and a group photo … All from the 2018 conference in Baltimore)
Go here to learn more ….
Fundraising for the 2019 Chromosome 18 Family Conference – Poem Creativity
March 17 2019:
Last November, Mike and I participated in a book signing for local authors at Barnes & Noble. Lillian Darnell and her mother, Camilla Downs, were seated next to us. I noticed a drawing that Lillian had done and mentioned that I could make a quilt out of it. So, I did. The photo on the left is the drawing, which was enlarged from the original, and on the right is the quilt.
This is just so beautiful and wonderful!! It has been magical watching you create this masterpiece quilt from Lillian’s 5 by 7 artwork. My artist friend who is buying this quilt is so very happy to get this and hang it on her studio wall in Houston! Just WOW!!!
Lillian created this abstract art as well as a few others several years ago. This one she titled Rainbow of Emotions and she wrote a story inspired by it (below). We sell prints of her abstract drawings to help fund attendance at a conference every summer that is specific to her chromosome deletion … The Chromosome 18 Family Conference. There’s also a section in Lillian’s book titled, Emotions and Animals, in which she writes a short story about how animals process emotions.
Here’s the story she wrote inspired by the drawing …
A Flower’s Curious Emotions
Once long ago, there lived a flower named Rainbow who was always emotional. One day, the flower was very curious about why she was so emotional.
So the flower went to a wise flower named Emotions but liked to be called Lavender instead. When Rainbow got to Lavender’s home, Rainbow asked, “Why am I so emotional, Lavender?”.
Lavender laughed and said, “You are emotional because you are always inside any living thing but I can give you some wisdom if you think it will help”.
“Yes, I think it will help me better understand. I trust you and your wisdom.”, said Rainbow in excitement. So Lavender said, “The princess who owns the sky is sometimes called Rainbow of Emotions and she watches over you. Your emotions are actually inherited from the princess. I hope that wisdom helps.”
Rainbow said, “Thank you! That helps. Now I am very grateful for the princess’ emotions.” So Rainbow walked off happily. So if you ever see a rainbow or feel any emotion, chances are you could be experiencing either Rainbow’s emotions or the princess’ emotions.
That’s the end of the story.
March 27 2019:
Look what was hand delivered to us today while volunteering at the library. Gerry says this will be one of a kind!!! She had fun creating it; yet, once was enough!
It will be headed to Houston to adorn the studio wall of one of Team TLC’s patrons.
Lillian created the abstract art titled “Rainbow of Emotions”. We met Gerry (the quilt maker) at a book signing in November where we were selling Lillian’s book. Gerry and her partner were our neighbor with their book.
She loved Lillian’s Rainbow of Emotions and commented that she would love to make it into a quilt. I told her I would see if any of our supporters would like to purchase such a beauty. One of our patrons was totally on it and wanted it to hang on her studio wall in Houston! Mounted prints of the artwork is for sale also!
March 29 2019:
Took pictures of this beauty in the natural light before she began her trip to Houston! We’re deeply grateful to our patron in Houston who supported two local artists with this purchase; Lillian and Gerry, the quilter, who made this magical creation from Lillian’s abstract art piece titled, Rainbow of Emotions (last picture). It will hang in her private studio … but may soon decorate the wall of a boutique. We shall see!! 🙏💙💙💙🙏
**Become a Patron and Support our creations of photography, poetry, books, and writings. As well as the book and movie musings we share. Click on the below photo and support with an amount that feels right for you. Note in the comments if you’d like this to be a monthly gift and we will set it up. Much Gratitude to you!**
RAINBOW LOVE
This story is about rainbows and love. I hope you enjoy!
Once there lived two rainbows who didn’t want to separate for the love of nature. Their names were Candy Rainbow and Princess Rainbow. One day, Candy Rainbow was accidentally separated from Princess. What they didn’t know was that the Nature fairy had split them in half.
Candy desperately looked for Princess but there was no sign of her. Meanwhile, Princess was where Candy wasn’t. She was anxious to find him but the Nature fairy wouldn’t let her. Candy asked the Nature fairy about Princess. The fairy said, “No, I haven’t seen her. I didn’t separate you.”
Candy thought the fairy was being suspicious. Princess started suspecting the fairy. After a year passed, they accidentally ran into each other. When the fairy found out, she was furious.
The fairy decided to put Princess invisible so she couldn’t be seen when they bumped into each other. Candy tried to explain to the Nature fairy that rainbow magic was more powerful than fairy magic. Since the nature fairy wouldn’t listen, Candy decided to show her what he tried to explain.
His plan was to use his magic and power to get Princess out of the invisible world. So when Princess saw he was stretching out to use his power, she decided to reach over and touch his stretched arc. Candy felt lighter somehow but he didn’t know how.
Suddenly the invisible spell broke. The fairy was shocked at what happened and the fairy had to vanish. “It was me who helped you, Candy”, said Princess softly. “Thank you, Princess!” and the rainbows’ love was returned.
Princess thought if people saw them, it would be easier to have one rainbow be invisible. Princess decided to go invisible but Candy was able to see her. Every once in a while, Princess appeared behind Candy. That is why some people see double or triple rainbows.
(©️Written by Lillian Darnell June 2016 at 14-years-old – from the book, Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories)
**Become a Patron and Support our creations of photography, poetry, books, and writings. As well as the book and movie musings we share. Click on the below photo and support with an amount that feels right for you. Note in the comments if you’d like this to be a monthly gift and we will set it up. Much Gratitude to you!**
March 22 2019:
She says to me that she just got done watching a video of someone riding the elevator at the Colorado Springs Marriott. I say something like, you are one crazy girl!
Well, she wanted to know if there’s music playing in the elevator! The Colorado Springs Marriott is where the Chromosome 18 conference is being held this July.
She’s already watched a video someone recorded of a train ride into Denver. Just video of the landscape as it goes by …. She’s watched a video of someone flying from Reno to Colorado Springs (or Denver). Just video of the sky and clouds as they go by …. I haven’t decided which method of travel we’re going to use to get there. So, she’s just preparing herself for whatever we end up using.
She’s researched everything there is to know about the Colorado Springs Marriott, everything there is to know about restaurants in the area, and read tons of reviews for both.
She created her “to pack” list today and the excitement is building. She keeps asking what she can do to help earn money to put towards the conference. Lillian Darnell is one dedicated person!! You go Lillian!!!
**THROWBACK POST**
May 4 2009:
Lillian’s 1st day back after track break. Got her school pic from March. Love it & wanted to share!
“Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson … Quote from the book, Where Would You Fly by Lillian Darnell
Want one of these lovely books of your own? Go here … WhereWouldYouFly.com … Thank you! xoxo
December 23 2018:
Lillian is at The Romano Duo’s House again this weekend. Yes!!!!
For anyone who doesn’t know: Lillian has a fear of taking showers. She’s always had baths.
About a month ago, she spent a couple of days at The Romano Duo’s place (my Mom and step-father, Frank).
They have a big, walk-in shower and it was perfect for Lillian to “walk” into that fear!! Yay!!! At 17 years old, she’s conquered that one!! 🧚🏼♂️🎉🎉🎉🧚🏼♂️
