So much of creating art is done in solitude and isolation. Hours spent imagining ideas, writing, editing, re-formatting, second-guessing, marinading in self-doubt. Then the moment finally comes. You put it out into the world and hold your breath. I hear it all the time- “Make the thing that makes you happy.” And while I wholeheartedly believe that, I think we all want our art to mean something. To create a ripple of joy in the world. To delight strangers.

The moment I’d envisioned for my book launch in December finally happened last night. Signing books. Asking how to spell someone’s name because I just met them. Having a mom whisper, “This is perfect for my daughter because we’re beginning to talk about health and food.”

Every opportunity is connected to a person. I’m grateful for Trami Cron, who sat in the audience of my first Chopsticks Alley open mic, and later opened so many doors and welcomed me into this incredible Chopsticks Alley Art community nest. It’s wild how this whole adventure began on a Wed evening in June, wearing sweatpants on my couch, looking through Eventbrite for a place to meet other artists. I never would’ve imagined it would help me find my flock.

Sometimes the thing you’re searching for is much deeper. And when you’ve found it, it shows.