MCV-Massey Cancer Center-Thomas Palliative Care Unit

It's hard to believe that it has been 3 years since I painted the beach mural at the Thomas Palliative Care unit at MCV hospital. In November of 2008 I met Ellie Coyne at the unit...you can read the story here.
Fast forward...Tuesday, May 17, 2011...I got a call from Ellie. "Do you remember me Leslie?", she said. Of course! "You won't believe what your mural has inspired. Please come by the unit so you can see the out-pouring of LOVE that is the beach mural." "It's a miracle...it has helped so many people and I want you to see it."
So, today I made my way back to MCV and Ellie was right...I couldn't believe what I saw. It's amazing...so many people wrote, drew, painted and collaged on to the wall that was merely a beach scene before...blossomed into a wall of HOPE, memories, dedications and well wishes to ALL who have struggled, endured and some that have sadly succumbed to cancer. And it all started with a beach scene...a place to escape from the reality of the disease. At the end of May the wall will be painted over and I will begin a new mural...this time....BUTTERFLIES I can't wait to see the metamorphosis it brings!

BEFORE... November 2008 (below)

AFTER... May 2011

Casa de las Mariposas-House of the Butterflies-Aruba

I have been so blessed in my travels and in life to see so many of God's beautiful creations and I am thankful. Out of all of His creations...I am drawn to the butterflies, the birds, the animals and the flowers. Their BEAUTY is AMAZING! These photos were taken in Aruba at the Butterfly House...wonderfully beautiful...simply breathtaking!

i LoVe Virginia

In His Hands

Making the left turn up the driveway home this evening was not the same. Branches, leaves and twigs lined the road. As I approached I saw more evidence that something had happened here today in my absence.


Trees were snapped in half. I continued up the hill and stopped. All around me there was a YELLOW tint. I went inside and grabbed my camera and started a walk around the exterior of our house...





Our backyard hut was still in tact...I couldn't believe my eyes...a HUGE tree down, broken and layed down. It was as if each segment had been placed neatly on the ground just shy of one of our favorite places to relax.


Amazing! Each massive piece in its place. I saw the path that the wind? tornado? had made...and yet everything was safe...everything had been protected...everything was just as it should be.




And I looked up and said out loud...Thank you God, thank you...I feel your grace upon me. I stand amazed! It was ALL in your hands.