When I was told my husband had inoperable brain cancer in 2015, I took action. With my son’s help, I created and began giving away hundreds of light and love discs. These small glass discs in warm colors, featured a 600-year-old graphic of a sun on one side and the words "Light & Love," in a font I designed, on the other. I made them because I knew whatever happened, we were going to need more light and love. I knew the best way to receive these precious gifts was to give them out. I gave these discs to friends, family, strangers—anyone I encountered—and told them we all need more light and love. I never sold them because light and love should be free.  After years of executing impressive projects, my art was now personal. It was sustaining me through a very difficult time. I would ultimately combine light and love with glowing glass in a 2016 art installation.

Photo by Charity Ponter

I took so much solace from knowing my glass would light up the darkness, even if I couldn't find the light within myself that I wanted to offer the same thing to others. I truly believe we all need more light and love, that light glowing in the darkness can be a beacon of hope to someone who is suffering through a dark night of the soul. It was for me, and remains so when difficulties and challenges cycle back into my life.  I hope these small glass objects that shine in the dark will touch your heart as they have touched mine. 

Namaste.