Courage and hope through art

This week's I Am the Diva Challenge (#171) was inspired by Beads of Courage, an organization that supports children and their families who are dealing with life-threatening or chronic illnesses. I thought of my cousin K and my friend's daughter, J, who are both dealing with major illnesses in their very young ages, while I tangled this:

I have such admiration for young people and their parents who have chronic or life-threatening diseases and the courage that they must muster in order to live. The pains of our human existence are even more obvious in the sick, as well as the intangible gifts -- hope, courage, tenacity, resilience, inspiration, faith -- that rise from suffering.

Here are two other recent tanglings...

My current mandala-in-progress. (And I am so happy to see The Bright Owl's zendala dare return! My zendala contribution will soon follow!)