I was recently asked about the symbols in a couple of my drawings.

I completed a series of drawings for my Ripple Effect Team Mates.

This year's Bravehearts777 is currently underway.

Bravehearts is a charity in Australia that supports survivors of childhood sexual assault and educates kids about child safety.

They run an annual event in which a small group of runners participate in a series of seven marathons in seven consecutive days, across seven states.

I completed this mammoth event last year and hoped to at least do it in part again this year to

I find myself pretty limited at the moment.
I need to lie down a lot and am unable to do too much.
Even drawing or painting exacerbates the pain.
So I do it when I can, and because I love it, I pay the price later.

So these ameture drawings were indeed a labour of love.

Each one was given to a friend.

A team of people with whom I struggle to describe our relationship.

Particularly when it comes to Kevin and Mark.

I love those boys like brothers.

To see them joyful fills me with pride especially when I think that I may have played a part in that accomplishment.

The regaining of joy.

They were both involved in giving evidence against my uncle, who is now incarcerated.
For legal reasons due to an acquittal in one case, I choose my words carefully.

I have written at length about our story.

Actually I joined Steemit because I wanted a place to host my story, in order to share it easily.

https://steemit.com/life/@girlbeforemirror/why-i-pledged-to-run-almost-300kms-for-a-man-i-had-never-met-who-had-accused-a-man-i-had-loved-all-my-life-of-the-most-heinous

I hadn't anticipated staying for the friendships formed on Steemit, just as I didn't anticipate that I would come to consider Mark and Kevin as close friends.

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The drawings hold a number of symbols

For Kevin

This is my deadlocked head.
As my health declined I let my hair do it's natural things. A quiet, progressive, silent testament to all who suffer silently, whether from invisible illness or abuse.

From the somewhat tormented head a tear drops 💧 causing a ripple. The name he gave our team, and a line from the letter I wrote him

It also has the 1inFive symbol he had designed for our campaign, the Bravehearts balloon, and the Bravehearts777 running man.

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The others have these symbols too.

For Mark

He calls me sissy.

His generosity has astounded me. He considers me his sister. So therefore I included a symbol in the bottom right that represents adopted siblings.

The bass got pretty busy.

It has a lot going on. The bass symbol and both of us in either corner somewhat isolated.
Music is his salvation, his life force.

So bright music imagery is featured

Along with a grey less distinct entity that entwines the pages.
The ever present nasty that we all hold at bay with the things that bring us light and joy.

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Bel

When you are lucky enough to have a friend who is so pure of heart, that gives it to you unconditionally and asks for nothing in return.

Hold it for them and keep it safe. Pure goodness is not given without cost.
Bel has the purest of hearts.

This one for Bel includes her baby dog Daisy.

A more loved pooch you will never meet.
Daisy has some health issues and an anxiety disorder, and Bel makes sure that between herself, her mum and her sister that Daisy always has a carer.
I'm sure they will be skyping this week while Bel runs her multiple marathons.😊

It also has the brain cancer foundation symbol

Bel has dedicated a great deal of time and emotion volunteering for them.
She in fact trekked the The Larapinta Trail From Alice Springs near Uluru ( Ayers Rock), to the top of Mount Sonder, a 223 kilometres walk along the West MacDonnell Ranges for the brain cancer foundation last year.

It also features

A recovery symbol
Eternity and
Sisterhood

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Sami

Beautiful fellow mother, as tender hearted as she is strong.

A children's champion who has over the course of the past year harnessed the incredible strength I'm sure she has always had.

I have a great kinship with Sam.

We seem to get each other.
She shares my desire for shouting from roof tops to crowds of people, mixed with an incredible fear of heights and speaking in front of more than two people.

I've just realised I don't have a finished photo of Sam's drawing.

A gentle heart shaped pencil drawing.
Mother and child
With a guardian Owl watching over.

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Sam a Bel have successfully completed 2 marathons.
They are currently in the air flying from Adelaide in South Australia to Melbourne, Victoria.

Tomorrow they run in Melbourne
Then Hobart Tasmania
Canberra, Act

On day six they will meet up with Kevin and Mark in Kingscliff NSW

Bel, Mark and Myself, last year at Kungscliff. More of a power-stumble than a run.

Then on Sunday they will join thousands of people in the annual Gold Coast Marathon.

Then on to the celebrations.

Last years team of National Runners. Our Bravehearts family.

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Thank You Steemit. You Are Amazing

Pre-buzzcut

You can follow Sam and Bel's progress here

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=516303265243950&tsid=0.3022475406777587&source=typeahead