Where We Are Now: A New Chapter in the Journey.
Hey Village,
If you’ve made your way here, thank you. Whether you’ve known me for years, or just stumbled across this page because someone shared it, I’m truly grateful you’re here.
I wanted this first blog to be an honest update, part catch-up, part current snapshot, and part joy-bomb. Because the past few years have been a lot. And yet, here we are.
The Cliff Notes Version of the Last 2.5 Years
In case you missed the dramatic plot twist: in late 2022, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. One minute I was figuring out dinner, the next I was fighting for my life with a whiteboard full of words like “palliative care” and “chemo protocol.”
Since then, there’s been surgery (multiple), chemo (lots), HIPEC (Google it, it’s wild), and miracles (thank God for those). I’ve walked back from the edge more than once, and I’ve done it surrounded by love, my mom Sandy, my boys, my people, and now, maybe even you.
Where We’re At Now
Right now, I’m back on chemo. The kind that hits hard and takes no prisoners. I’m losing my hair again (which really should come with a free spa day or at least some glitter, but I digress).
Meanwhile, my twin boys, William and Parker, are gearing up to start first grade. They’re wild, sweet, brilliant, chaotic, and the reason I get out of bed, even on days when bed feels like a good place to hide. We’re also navigating broken bones (one trampoline park incident too many) and infected bug bites (because Texas).
It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s beautiful.
And yes, it’s exhausting.
A Bright Spot: The Trip of a Lifetime
Before this latest round of treatment, my mom and I took the most amazing trip: a 10-day Viking river cruise through Europe. We walked the cobblestone streets of Budapest and Vienna, stuffed ourselves with pastries in Passau, and I even flirted with a 24-year-old Hungarian goulash instructor named Robert. (What? A girl’s still got it.)
I wore cute dresses. I laughed. I walked 6 miles in one day , and didn’t even care that my legs hated me for it. I lived. Really lived.
That trip was proof: life doesn’t stop being beautiful, even when it’s hard.
Why This Blog and Shop Exists
Talia, my brilliant, big-hearted friend , came up with this idea to turn my art into something more. So, we created this little corner of the internet where you can follow along, support if you’re able, and maybe even pick up a hand-drawn flower bouquet or a bracelet covered in emotional glitter.
Your support lets me keep focusing on what matters most: healing, loving my boys, and finding magic in the mess.
More soon, friends. But for now , thank you. For being here, for caring, for helping hold me up.
We really do heal better when we do it together.
With love and glitter,
Calli
