MARCIA, EVERYTHING IN LIFE IS ART, BUT NOT EVERYONE IS AN ARTIST.

After seven long months of sleeping on the streets and in the tent, Marcia helped me. She got a room for me and paid for two nights, with meals included. And as soon as I stepped into the room, my eyes became wet. I could hardly believe it. Running water. A bed to lie on. A heater to keep my body warm after so many nights of being lost in the world.

I took my bath. I lay on the bed. I set my alarm for one in the morning and slowly drifted into sleep. When the alarm rang, I rose, walked to the desk, and began to write. There were many things waiting for me. Drafts of two new books to submit to my literary agent, and endless work undone. Yet the only thing I could do was to write this piece. To pour it all out. To say that everything in our lives is art, and that we are all artists.

Thank you to everyone who has walked this road with me. Because of you, I am here. And without you, I am nothing. - BASIL ROMANCO