For Carolyn Hodges

Those of you who know 96-year-old Houston artist Carolyn Hodges also know how committed she is to her art ... in a fierce way. She also is fiercely responsible about her life and affairs ... she keeps a calendar, makes plans, and conducts her life on time.

Recently she decided that she wanted to be cremated when she leaves us on this Earth and wants to pay for it now. At first, she hoped to have another show of her work and sell enough to pay the $2,055 required for a basic cremation plan. I told her I hoped she gets to have that exhibition, but I encouraged her to at least allow me to set up a GoFundMe account to see if all the friends she has would help take some of the burdens off her. She reluctantly agreed.

Carolyn is persistently independent, even though her physical condition makes it impossible to be fully independent. This is a woman who was born in Houston and has NEVER OWNED OR DRIVEN A CAR, always having walked, ridden a bicycle, or taken public transportation!

Her desire to handle the disposition of her body after she passes is a reflection of her independence. I plan to make sure she knows that any contributions you make to her for this cause are in recognition of that independence and the creativity she has given those of us who know her work.

The paid-up cost of the cremation contract she has chosen is $2,055. The goal of this fundraiser is $2,500, which will cover GoFundMe fees with some left over to supplement Carolyn's razor-thin budget.