Support Ash and Jody Through Tough Times

Hello everyone, it's Ash.

First off, Yes, I'm alive but I'll never be the same. Some of you may have noticed my presence has been missing for a while...Life has been rough the past year for myself and my spouse with an accumulation of some of the world's worst luck and my health wearing me out. A lot of death, pain, and loss inflicted on me this year. The biggest hit was losing my mother in addition to another fur baby having passed only a month before that; and more recently my grandmother-in-law. Grief is very heavy on the soul, especially when it's unexpected. I worry for the rest of my family, especially my father.

I've also been dealing with my own health which I am feeling worse as I age both physically and mentally. I've never openly talked about that before but it's come to a point that it does affect my work as an artist now. I have a lot of issues but the biggest I suffer from is fibromyalgia with constant pain since I was a teen and now even more so I have days debilitating that my hands are in pain when I hold a pencil for a few minutes or I don't have the strength to open a water bottle even. Things like walking and movement are painful, I push myself every day to get out of bed. I've also noticed I have terrible brain fog with my memory. I'm having short term recollection problems and I know that can be frustrating on Jody sometimes. I thank the universe every day for giving me Jody as he takes care of me and does what he can do for me. Jody is also struggling with grief, his health, and with finding a steady job. I'd like to think we can get through this together.

I've found comfort in coloring for fun with a mouse since my hands are more freely open and less painful doing that. Because of this I will be slow with art but, I won't let it stop me from doing art, I could never. Unfortunately, since I've been so broken from all this and more, the fallout has also left me with a bunch of debt to the point I'm scared and just don't know where else to turn for help right now. Bills have always been a battle and now it's gotten BAD.. shut off notices and possible loss of our home. I feel embarrassed to ask for help in all this as I am usually an introverted person who tries their best at self-sustainability and fear of bothering others. I will be taking donations to help to get back on my feet in addition to doing pay-what-you-want sketches and flat coloring commissions. If you would like one please let me know or you can just donate to me at my funding link. Even a dollar will help immensely.

Even though I am a ball of never-ending stress and pain, I am holding hope for better times ahead. Even little things like just being able to get my own groceries again or have actual good clothes to wear or not worrying about if I can afford our medicines this month. I want to see the light out of this tunnel. I'm holding out hope and trying to be positive, it's hard! Hoping to come back to posting again soon.

Thank you all! Remember to stay hydrated.

From,

- Ash