As an artist, I look for symbolism in all things expressive. Whether it's written word, music, or any form of art, there is always something under the surface that inspires a creative endeavor. These inspirations can also be interactions; small acts of kindness or injustice, a glimpse into something unknown, or a life-altering event. In communicating with Meredith, a survivor of Hodgkin's Lymphoma, she shared her firsthand experiences with all of those aspects, which added tremendous dimensions of thought, symbolism, and gut-wrenching emotion to my understanding of the fragility of life. Her experience gave me insight to a world of uncertainty, pain, hope, and finally, triumph. The list of feelings one has in trying to understand such an experience goes on and on, but the outcome of her battle with cancer stays the same: it came, she conquered, and her life was changed. During a game of soccer some years before being diagnosed, she recounts a story of missing a shot on a wide-open net. A single raindrop had struck her in the eye, blurred her vision, and caused her to miss. Confused and disappointed, she realized there wasn't a single cloud in the sky. She wondered why she was the only one to get this raindrop. She believes it was a message from God, a purposeful incident that was chosen just for her. Reflecting on her cancer experience, she knows God put that obstacle there for her to overcome, and in turn, change her life. Cancer was the ultimate raindrop, but not one that made her miss a shot or lose a game. Instead, it opened her to an understanding of what it means to have supportive friends and a loving family. It would lead her to a career path that would add infinite meaning to her life. No matter how dark and twisted this drop seemed at first, its revelation proved a promise of the brightest of opportunities and most colorful vision she could have imagined. God placed cancer in her path, which has inspired her to continue on and share her vision of life. Now, her inspirations have inspired me, and resurrected the amazing symbolism of that one faithful raindrop.Shipping rates may apply if unable to pick-up night of the event.">Abby Doebel, "Faithful Raindop,"36 x 22, Acrylic

As an artist, I look for symbolism in all things expressive. Whether it's written word, music, or any form of art, there is always something under the surface that inspires a creative endeavor. These inspirations can also be interactions; small acts of kindness or injustice, a glimpse into something unknown, or a life-altering event. In communicating with Meredith, a survivor of Hodgkin's Lymphoma, she shared her firsthand experiences with all of those aspects, which added tremendous dimensions of thought, symbolism, and gut-wrenching emotion to my understanding of the fragility of life. Her experience gave me insight to a world of uncertainty, pain, hope, and finally, triumph. The list of feelings one has in trying to understand such an experience goes on and on, but the outcome of her battle with cancer stays the same: it came, she conquered, and her life was changed. During a game of soccer some years before being diagnosed, she recounts a story of missing a shot on a wide-open net. A single raindrop had struck her in the eye, blurred her vision, and caused her to miss. Confused and disappointed, she realized there wasn't a single cloud in the sky. She wondered why she was the only one to get this raindrop. She believes it was a message from God, a purposeful incident that was chosen just for her. Reflecting on her cancer experience, she knows God put that obstacle there for her to overcome, and in turn, change her life. Cancer was the ultimate raindrop, but not one that made her miss a shot or lose a game. Instead, it opened her to an understanding of what it means to have supportive friends and a loving family. It would lead her to a career path that would add infinite meaning to her life. No matter how dark and twisted this drop seemed at first, its revelation proved a promise of the brightest of opportunities and most colorful vision she could have imagined. God placed cancer in her path, which has inspired her to continue on and share her vision of life. Now, her inspirations have inspired me, and resurrected the amazing symbolism of that one faithful raindrop.Shipping rates may apply if unable to pick-up night of the event.