In May of 2018, Shari Lynn was handed a Breast Cancer Diagnosis. At the time, her older son was already on his own living far away, and her younger son was graduating from College. Thanks to a friend in one of her Jewish Communities, she contacted Anne’s Place, where she began counseling with an amazingly supportive therapist. Anne’s Place was one of the support systems that remained, even with her son moving away, her parents both passing and various other life challenges, moves, treatments and world events. Anne’s Place facilitated creative expression through art workshops, learning about healthier eating, foot reflexology, mind body medicine, yoga, tai chi, sound healing, support groups, and even getting some financial support for rent.  

This diagnosis was a wake up call, and silver linings include doing some things on her bucket list, like becoming a Reiki Master and Level I QiGong Instructor. She has continued her work as a Substitute Teacher, Justice of the Peace, Religious Educator, as well as Hebrew Tutor, teaching Hebrew at B’nai Israel Religious School in Southbury for 19 years and making and selling her one-of-a-kind fiber-art (quilts, dolls, hats, scarves, kippot, needle-felted sculptures and therapeutic warming pillows). As a substitute teacher, she was dubbed at Whisconier middle school “the singing sub” and often thought of herself as a “Super Sub”, wearing a supergirl costume for Halloween. Another interesting fun fact: one day at planet fitness working out with a friend whose watch band broke, she discovered that crocheting could also be a super power, when she crocheted on the fly a beautiful watch strap in ten minutes. When her son Jamin was on Brookfield High School’s Robotics Team, she was asked to be team spirit mentor. Although her son graduated in 2015, she continues to volunteer with the team to this day. Among her various spiritual and religious and artistic pursuits, she is also an avid Acro-Yogi. At 62 years old she is one of the older members of this community, but loves to be considered a den mother of sorts and always brings healthier snacks to classes, workshops and festivals to share with her young friends. It was actually Acro-Yoga that gave her the courage and belief that she could overcome any challenge. Being able to safely and easily lift another human being into the air, and fly as well, has renewed her youthful sense of immortality, that the cancer diagnosis initially took away. She is also an advocate for patients' rights to speak up for themselves, and trust in their instincts and knowledge of their own bodies and use all the resources available to us, including healing foods, complimentary and alternative therapies and practices. She has  learned that what we put into our bodies, including the food we consume as well as the thoughts and emotions we let in, can heal or harm. 

As a mother of two grown sons, who live far away, and do not celebrate holidays or life cycle events with their mother, she recently became acquainted with and is learning about the epidemic of estrangement in today’s world. She has joined an Estranged Grandparents Support Group. While she is most appreciative of the photos, videos and video calls her Daughter in law continues to facilitate, her heart's wish is: to meet and have a close loving relationship with her three year old granddaughter; To continue to grow as an acro-yogi base, flyer and mid and maybe even get good enough to teach. To continue to train B’nai Mitzvah Students and celebrate their special day with them and their families. And to one day, be completely out of treatment and not schedule travel and event plans around doctor appointments and treatments. To keep telling and singing and writing stories and songs and sharing them with others as well as making jewelry and fiber art and sharing this with others. And get to the beach at least 4 times a year-especially to Narragansett, RI which she considers to be her happy place, sharing it with her family and friends.

She considers herself to have a heart as big as all outdoors, which means it is easier to make new friends and have close loving relationships with many people, and it doesn’t lessen the love for those who are distant or no longer with us. 

Lastly a few quotes:

“My heART is my art, and it takes many forms, singing, writing, storytelling, dance, making jewelry, quilting or any other medium imaginable.”

“No scrap, whether human or fabric, is ever too small to be useful or loved.”

“Neshamah Creations makes G-d’s love visible, tangible and audible”.