I am extremely fortunate to be surrounded by love, support and guidance from my family. My Grandma Helen passed away when I was in elementary school and even though my time with her was short, she had an immense impact on me, emotionally, creatively and spiritually. I am the youngest of a large family of seven. While raising five kids, my parents worked full-time. I spent many hours with my Grandma. She dropped me off at school, picked me up from school and cared for me. My grandma was known for her creativity, her artistic ability, and her optimism. Artistic expression was part of our daily life. Whether it was taking baths in food colored water or making snacks in unusual shapes and colors, my Grandma always included us and made life
