Recently my husband, Dave, and I had to make a decision about our business, Art du Jour.   I have always been involved in art and creative endeavors, so this decision was not easy.  Several years ago when I decided to seek professional certification in faux arts and murals, things were much different.  Within months of beginning our business, I was diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and after a lymph node resection, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or CRPS.  While each of these limited my ability to paint and hold a paintbrush, the three together have been devastating.

I spent the past 3 years asking "Why me, God?" and becoming increasingly bitter about my 'disability'.   Just a few months ago I was unable to even say the word "disability".  I have always been someone who needed to stay busy and involved, and having this diagnosis even kept me from enjoying church activities or spending time at our little place on the Delaware inlet with my husband and kids.  I felt as though God had placed me on a shelf...  useless, sad and not much fun to be around......