Why Dragonflies?

Worldwide, dragonflies are known as symbols of courage, strength, harmony, and adaptation. In April 2012, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. I have always looked to the natural world for inspiration and navigation, and that kicked into high gear after my diagnosis! I was drawn to the dragonfly because of its duality of both fragility and strength. Have you ever seen a dragonfly in the wind? Seemingly delicate and breakable, they battle through winds with resolve and tenacity, coming out on the other side unscathed. The dragonfly quickly became my spirit animal, my totem to help me maneuver through the turbulent winds of this dumb cancer.

 

I have been blessed to have had good success with several rounds of immunotherapy treatments over the years, which keeps this naughty disease pretty much as an insignificant part of my life. But dragonflies themselves stay very much front and center! From naming my former home Dragonfly Hill, to deciding on a name for my studio, to designating my car as a wee dragonfly, I continue to draw daily inspiration from these graceful little souls.