The Butterfly Effect

Everybody who knows me knows that I love purple as well as butterflies. Butterflies represent transformation. Six artists from The Santa Clarita Artists Association, Jane Mick, Scott Parker, Kathy King, Lorrie Morgan, Qiana Tarlow, and I were picked to be honoree artists for Empowering HeArts, the signature fundraiser for Single Mothers Outreach. We, the artists, met with the mothers and their daughters, heard their stories, and depicted them through our art pieces, which we gifted to the mothers. Two awards were given to the artists at the end of the evening. Jane Mick received the Dottie Award and Scott Parker received the People’s Choice Award for their artistic interpretation.
Single Mothers Outreach helps single parents in Santa Clarita rise above their circumstances by giving them and their children financial management classes, stress and anxiety therapy, clothing, and much more. More importantly, it provides them with hopes and aspirations. They leave behind their sense of fear and desperation, feelings of injustice, and perception of helplessness. With renewed confidence, these devoted mothers learn to push their boundaries and see personal growth and higher self-esteem. They become strong role models for their children. Sarah Hill, the honoree mother I was paired with, told me how these programs helped her and her children flourish as individuals and as a family. She told me that she loves daisies, butterflies, and the color purple. Well, that worked for me. I created a landscape scene where Sarah blows kisses to her daughter, Bella, who is seen dancing in a butterfly wings outfit in the field of daisies surrounded by butterflies. It was sort of an escape that she could go to whenever she wants.
During the gala, young girls performed a beautiful dance that ended with them holding up large letters that spelled out HOPE. We learned of two success stories of mothers who benefited from the organization. One mother was given a voucher for SMO’s store, ‘Closet on Main”, went on to volunteer, and eventually became the store manager. The second story was from a young girl whose family was ‘adopted’ for the holidays by a local Sherrif. They received the best Christmas gifts that year. She recalled that the husband was a firefighter, and his wife was a sheriff’s deputy. Their act of kindness affected her so much that she wanted to become a peace officer herself. She grew up into a strong woman, full of compassion, gratitude, and passion for serving her community. You can never underestimate the effect and influence of an encouraging act of kindness on our lives.
I am grateful to be on the giving side and a part of this organization that helps women discover their strength and potential. They morph from caterpillars to a beautiful butterflies. I love how we can all transform ourselves and soar to great Heights through love and hope. That is the beauty of the butterfly effect.
Naomi Young is a published writer and artist You can view her website www.naomiyoung.com and reach her at naomiyoung7@yahoo.com