This past October, I donated my 16x20 metal print of one of my orchids "Animal" to the Mental Health of America's Inaugural Fundraiser at The Mint Museum on Randolph Road in Charlotte, North Carolina. I had the honor of being selected to participate in their silent auction and was among some very talented photographers.

But, I want to take a minute to talk about the piece "Animal" that I donated. I have always loved animals for their beauty and especially for their companionship and most of all, their unwavering love and affection. I have my own dog, a border collie/Laborador mix rescue who is getting on in age, as I have had her over a decade. She has been with me through many ups and downs and I love my husband even more, for not only welcoming me into his home, but also my skittishly shy rescue dog, Tippy Toes. Tippy has changed my life in so many ways and has been a constant source of inspiration to me during my struggles with bi-polar disorder. My husband, Alan and I, have always championed animal rights and he first introduced me to vegetarianism. Although I find it hard now to sustain myself with a strictly plant-based diet, I do understand why. 

"Animal" is one of the six original orchid photographs that are featured in my collection, "The Orchid Sessions: When the Centers Hold". I feel that the way I feel about animals is one of my core values that I have had since I was a little girl, and one that was only reinforced by my life experiences and yogic studies. When I met Lauri Dewhurst-Summers, I felt a kindred spirit immediately and have appreciated her support ever since.

Please join us next year at the "AIM 4 GRAY MATTER" Fundraiser for Mental Health of Central Carolinas at The Mint Museum on Randolph Road in October 2018. Let's join together to fight the stigma that surrounds mental illness and appreciate each other and art! To Donate, please see the websitehttp://www.mhacentralcarolinas.org.