"Promise of Hope" by Wayne Bricco
About a year and a half ago, I started being attracted to cherry blossoms. First, I thought they were just pretty pink flowers; then I began to think that maybe God was up to something, trying to tell me something.
Last spring, as the cherry trees started blooming, I started thinking that maybe their blossoms would make a good logo, or theme, for my business. They sure were pretty enough!
Knowing that cherry blossoms were used frequently in Chinese and Japanese art, I figured that there would be some symbolism attached to the delicate blossoms. What I found was really interesting — and totally perfect as a symbol for what I do: helping women with fibromyalgia find hope and freedom!
As I did my research, I discovered that in Japanese culture, the cherry blossom is a symbol of feminine beauty, just as in Chinese culture. From that point on, however, the symbolism was completely different in the two cultures. In Japan, they view the cherry blossom as a delicate symbol, as the blossoms themselves are delicate. In fact, they symbolize the transience of life. Fallen cherry blossoms indicate a life cut short; blossoms fallen on snow indicate a samurai warrior specifically, whose life was cut down in battle. Due to the short blooming season of the cherry trees, there is also an element in the symbolism of, “This too shall pass.”
In China, the cherry blossom is a symbol of feminine beauty and strength. I even read in one place that it can symbolize feminine dominance! It is definitely a symbol of power.
The more research I did, the more excited I got. I knew that I wanted to use cherry blossoms here, on my website, and in my logo. I also knew that I had to have my dad, Wayne Bricco, a pen and ink artist, draw me a cherry blossom picture I could use for my note cards. That’s the picture he drew for me, Promise of Hope, above. You can check out his website at www.acrewoodart.com.
Putting together all I learned, here’s what the cherry blossoms symbolize to me, as a woman who has learned how to live well with fibromyalgia:
When I was suffering from fibromyalgia, especially back in 2008 when I filed for Social Security Disability, I truly felt like my life had been cut short. I felt like the “real me” was dying inside the prison of my fibromyalgia body.
I felt like my body was falling apart, fragile. Even now, I sometimes feel like my continuing health is held in a delicate balance. My husband, Scott, even calls me, “delicate and sensitive.” Although, the healthier I get, the less often he says that!
When I would have a particularly bad fibro flare, I used to get through it by remembering that, “This too shall pass.” I would do my best to remember that what I was experiencing was out of the ordinary and would practice my pain and stress management techniques to help bring things back under control again. Now that I have more good days than bad, I can say that the whole season of daily pain and fatigue has passed. I’m now in a new season of growing health.
One of the things that has helped me the most in my healing journey has been learning that I am beautiful, just as I am. My husband taught me that when I was at my heaviest, 243 pounds, and when I was at my sickest, hardly able to function. Even then, he thought I was the hottest woman he’d ever seen. I tried explaining to him that he was mistaken, but he wasn’t and eventually I believed him!
Once I believed I was beautiful, I also started to believe that my body was worth treating with kindness. Eventually, that changed my attitude from a victim mentality, “God, why did you give me this defective body,” to one of power. I started to realize that the choices I made had a direct impact on how I felt. Things like getting enough sleep and feeding my body good food.
As I started making better choices and treating my body with more kindness and respect, I started getting my health back. I literally gained more physical power and grew less delicate. You might say I went from a Japanese cherry blossom to a Chinese cherry blossom!
My dad’s art business is a family affair, and we call my mom The Namer. She’s the one who names the drawings. She titled my cherry blossoms Promise of Hope because of my mission: bringing hope and freedom to women with fibromyalgia, who are tired of being held prisoner in their own bodies.
Those little buds of cherry blossoms are like the buds of hope that that were in my heart when I was sick. I didn’t necessarily have hope just yet, but there was a promise of hope. There’s hope for you too!
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
What a wonderful inspiration! Thank you for sharing your story. I know there are many others out there who don’t feel there is hope. You CAN defeat illnesses when you have hope. and until you get your own hope, find some people who you can borrow theirs from. This too, shall pass is another mantra I gain hope from. There are seasons in our lives. Some flowery and some wintery and barren. There will be change ahead. Thanks for sharing how to find hope for the better!
What a beautiful story and I love the symbolism of the cherry blossoms. “Promise of Hope” is the perfect name for what you bring to those of us surviving fibromyalgia. It has been a long fifteen years of dealing with this illness, but I now have hope that I can live a full and productive life. Thank you for all you do to shine a light for others to find their way out of the winter that is illness into the hope of a beautiful new spring.
Mary – I’m so glad you made it here, friend! Yes, I borrowed lots of hope at the beginning! That’s such a great thing to do. I’ve got hope for you whenever you want some. {hug}
Tamara – I am so glad we met! I’m so excited for you and the health goals you’ve set for yourself. =) Thanks for being the shining light you are too! I’m so thankful for the work you do with the Portland Fibromyalgia – ME/CFS Group.
The attitudes we have do affect us physically. There was a study done on first-year law students. The researchers asked the students a series of questions to determine how optimistic they were; then, the students would have their immune system tested. The more optimistic the student was right then, the better their immune system response. For those of us who have immune system issues, finding hope (optimism) is actually part of our healing!
Tami, Thank you for sharing this beautiful story,of love, hope, and family. I thoroughly enjoyed your comments on how each family member–your mom, dad and hubby have influenced and shaped the new life you are living. As I thought about your family, I also thought about our support group–the love and hope we share and how we are a family too. I’m grateful for what you give and share. Your sweet fragrant spicy personality is a blessing in my life!
Mavis, I’m so glad you stopped by! Thanks so much for your kind words. You’re so right about our group. I’m always amazed at the experience and wisdom each person offers. I also love how giving and understanding everyone is, and how willing they are to help each other out — especially the folks new to our group or newly diagnosed!
Hi Tami : ), I have just been diagnosed with Fibromyalga and have been looking for information. I wondered what the symbol for this illness was..and came across your wonderful website. My favourite flower is the Cherry Blossom! : ) I’m swinging between hope and sadness at the moment. I guess because this is new to me. Even though I have been suffering for a number of years…without a proper diagnosis. I’m hoping this will be the start of a better quality of life..? Anyway..thanks for your page. bless you, Wendy
Wendy – Thank you! I don’t think there’s any official symbols for fibro. The color purple – so purple ribbons – is our color. (Think purple ribbons for fibro instead of the pink ribbons for cancer.) Too bad there aren’t any purple cherry blossoms. That would be perfect! =)
Statistically, most fibro folks take five-eight years to get an accurate diagnosis and see around five doctors first. You’re definitely not alone! Please let me know if there’s anything I can do for you. {hugs}
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