“But you, O God, do see trouble and grief.”  Psalm 10:14a

Grief is “the wolf in the basement.” I was sitting on the couch, sobbing over a loss from thirty-four years ago. Why did God allow lung cancer to take my brother’s life? Why was I still grieving thirty-four years later?

During the four months of his suffering, my family never shared our feelings. I tried to stay strong for my parents and my siblings. We took care of Donnie and did what had to be done. At age 16, I had to cook and look after my younger brother while Mom, Dad, and my four older siblings were at the hospital constantly. I longed to be there too, but how could I complain while my brother was dying?

I kept the wolf locked up, hidden in the basement of my childhood home, but God’s eyes were watching. Psalm 10 says, “But you, O God, do see trouble and grief.” I opened the door, wept for a time, and called a dear friend. Sharing my heart with a friend released the wolf, and I began to heal

The "Grief Is a Wolf" series of pastels will be on display as part of my solo show from March 3 until April 4 at Kore Art Gallery, 942 E. Kentucky St., Louisville, Kentucky 40204. Open Wednesday thru Saturday 11:00 to 6:00, Sunday 12:00 to 4:00.