Surviving to Soar is a story of wings. Like Icarus, it is a story of escape. But, it is also a song of infinite beauty and tragedy much more akin to the story of the Phoenix, because in the end there is rebirth.

These drawings tell the story of the time, many years ago, when I was suddenly widowed, left alone to raise a tiny child. The drawings chronical the first year alone and the huge transformations in my life. Throughout our lives, we are offered many opportunities to change. Sometimes we are courageous and choose them. This was a time when it was chosen for me. And so, feeling off balance and handicapped by my loss, I slowly and laboriously grew wings. I thought they would be Icarus wings, wings of escape. But, I learned that they were Phoenix wings, wings of rebirth.