Gift of the Day

My ‘Business Journey’ began in the summer of 2006 when I had heard that an adjunct professor that I knew had a stroke...it was bad and everyone seem to think that he wouldn’t make it.

Mark was 48 and had everything going for him back then...brilliant artist, teaching at Tunxis Community College and newly married but to me, a student worker, working as a graphic studio lab assistant...he was a troublesome teacher.

My job was to watch the graphic studio during the times it was not occupied by a class. So this allowed the students some hands-on time with all the computers and expensive equipment that was available to them, at the same time keeping a close watch on that same equipment...basically, I baby sat Apple Computers...and I TOTALLY adored my job!

 

Mark would show up most of the time late for his class, meaning I would have to work late until he did show up and he took long breaks without locking the room..in turn, some equipment had been stolen while he was out smoking with the students.

I had had a few run-ins with him about these issues and angry words were even spoken. So basically neither of us liked each other although I bet today he wouldn’t even know who I was or even remember our situation.....but I remember. 

Now the story isn’t a story of blame...but a story of compassion and understanding.

You see it was Mark Catalina who inspired me. He was my, what you would call “jumping off” point in this Business Journey I started.

The summer I had heard of his stroke, something had happened to me, I can’t explain what it was. The need to help him in some way washed over me and only a few months before I had begun designing dolls, (no not the pretty fun little girl kind,) but the spiritual art kind.

So I thought I would design a doll in his image, filled with healing herbs and positive charms (kinda like a voodoo doll but in reverse) and then blessed it under the full moon to guide it’s intensions and fill it with healing love.

I found a way of getting a photo of him and began the design with that...adding to it the herbs and giving him life...and the doll itself was delivered to him by one of his friends at Tunxis. I never heard another thing about it...but I like to believe that that empowered doll had just a little part in his healing...maybe in both our healings.

So to make a long story short...the ‘Journey Doll’ was born....

And so began ‘gifts of a lesser goddess’, my business and my passion.

PS...Much to my surprise, while writing this story and doing a little research on the time frame, I found this..... An exhibit of Catalina's work, pre- and post-stroke, opened Sept. 10, at the art gallery at Tunxis Community College. I can’t wait to see it! Talk about things coming full circle!!