And then it was December. Feel that holiday acceleration?
This is Jason Cannon with Ibis Books, and today I have a surprise launch for you. Sorta like when Beyoncé dropped her fifth studio album in the early morning hours of a December morning back in 2013, catching everyone by total surprise.
(And how is 2013 a DECADE ago already?? Talk about acceleration...)
I don't expect this drop to shake the world the way Beyoncé's did, but I think you'll agree it's potent.
BLIND TO OUR OWN WINGS is a collection of poetry, pictures, and mixed media art by a young woman named Christina Penland.
Here she is, holding her ubiquitous camera, and rocking her distinctive style:
Christina passed away in 2022, far far far too young. Mental illness and a series of incredibly unfair and tragic life events led to struggles with addiction. Through it all, she created art. She fought to turn her life around. She was winning that fight, but the toll proved too much.
I met Christina's mother, Rosemary, at a Rotary lunch earlier this year. Rosemary was telling her story, and Christina's story, in tandem with the director of the Resilient Retreat here in Sarasota. The Resilient Retreat is a phenomenal organization, housed on 84 acres of conserved land, offering free programs to those impacted by trauma and abuse. CHECK THEM OUT, seriously.
Rosemary had seen the production of CLOWNS LIKE ME, and her and my shared passion to tell the stories of people struggling with mental illness got us talking further.
Here's the thing: telling the stories brings hope and healing. Because telling the stories makes those who feel invisible realize they are seen. Loneliness is debilitating. Knowing you are seen--that you are not alone--is the first and most necessary step.
Anyhow, Rosemary told me that Christina, at the time of her death, had been on the verge of finishing her first collection of poetry, and had been talking about publishing it.
I said: Let's do it.
We enlisted the help of a couple of Christina's closest friends to curate the artwork and create the cover.
And now here it is. Christina's book. A testament to her creativity and spirit. And proceeds from sales go toward a new non-profit Rosemary is spearheading, Christina's House, a sanctuary for young women seeking to rebuild their lives after trauma, addiction, or adversity.
You can get the ebook at the Ibis Bookstore, or the paperback at Amazon.
The title, BLIND TO OUR OWN WINGS, has to do with butterflies, which were one of Christina's favorite creatures. Butterflies can't see their own wings. That's not how their eyes evolved. But as fascinating as the biological angle is, the metaphorical angle is this: if you can't see your own wings, you don't know you're beautiful. You think you're still nothing but a caterpillar. Everyone else can see your beauty, but you can't. And if you can't see it, you don't believe it.
And so it often is with humans, especially those who struggle in secret. Those whose stories aren't told.
This book is Rosemary's and my attempt to let everyone know just how beautiful Christina Penland was.
Don't suffer in silence or by yourself. I promise... you are not alone.
Jason Cannon
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