#cancer

Love Letter to Life 05.16.2026 Tidal Pools

| Pamela Markoya

Dear Life, Childhood summers were spent playing outdoors and in tidal pools along the shore. At a pre-verbal age, kneeling in a tidal pool with my diaper heavy with saltwater and my bare back tan and warm, I felt: I am the sand, I am the ocean, I am the air, I am the sun, I am the light. This deep “knowing” has served me throughout my life, including the cancer journey, by reminding me, I am safe. I can access this meaning-making moment of being at peace at anytime because it is timeless, living within me. The sun shines on desert sand just as it sparkles on tidal pools, reflecting light. We are one.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Acrylic Ink & Watercolor Crayon on Mineral Paper

Love Letter to Life 05.04.2026 Jitterbug

| Pamela Markoya

Dear Life, I have a case of nervousness. Six month PetScan is Wednesday at 7:00am. Ramping up to scans/tests then waiting for results is always bumpy. Challenge is to stay present and not to project. I feel healthy as a result of taking good care of my body, mind, and spirit. However, every cancer patient knows this dance: the Jitterbug. I put my hand in God’s and paint while bouncing around.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Acrylic Ink on Mineral Paper 04.22.2026

Love Letter to Life 05.02.2026 Memorial

| Pamela Markoya

Dear Life, Today is the Life Celebration of my dear friend, Virginia King. Loved ones will gather in Nambe to share their memories. I am blessed to be amongst those who lived many moments with this inspirational and beautiful person, inside and out.
Virginia, the moments linger on in Spirit.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Love Letter to Life 04.27.2026 Grief and Healing

| Pamela Markoya

Dear Life, Painting helps me to identify root causes of feelings. My Spirit guides me through the journey of grief: loss of loved ones, life changes, and losses due to disease, cancer. Grief can come unannounced and take a seat at the table. It sits there quietly until I notice its shadow. Sorrow. Sadness. Pain. Anxiety. Fear.
Grief whispers, “Come sit with me. Do not be afraid. I am a part of you. I am seeking comfort and companionship. Do not abandon me. Be with me. Together we can heal.”
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Acrylic Ink on Yupo Paper 03.19.2026

Love Letter to Life 04.14.2026 Energy Portraits

| Pamela Markoya

Dear Life, I have a new exhibit of 20 Energy Portraits – 10 paintings and 10 drawings – at Santa Fe Community College. This series, beginning in 2024, expresses being an artist living with cancer. The pieces document my “energy” going through chemotherapy and other cancer treatments. I am happy to see them again in a new light.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Love Letter to Life 03.01.2026 Pure Light

| Pamela Markoya

Dear Light, My dear friend, Virginia King, passed peacefully from this world on 02.26.2026. Her beaming smile and loving spirit will always shine through the people who love her, rainbows, and stars. She and I shared the intimacy of a deep friendship and the complex journey of living with cancer. Virginia did this with grace, humor, brilliance and encouragement: “Be Brave, Pamela”.
Within me and all around me forever, I love you, Vee.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Photo of Virginia at the Dwan Light Sanctuary, New Mexico

Love Letter to Life 01.17.2026 Backwash

| Pamela Markoya

Dear Life, Anniversaries can amplify a backwash of emotions. I ask, “What are these feelings and where are they coming from?” Thoughts flow in, like fluid moving backward.
Ah Hah! December 2019, sitting alone in the parking lot of the Cancer Center with the realization that I might have cancer flooded the car with tears. I was diagnosed two weeks later. Our tears flow through the body of every cancer patient, moving us from diagnosis to being here today. I am with you. You are not alone.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Watercolor 01.08.2026

Love Letter to Life 01.14.2026 Anniversary

| Pamela Markoya

Dear Life, Today is the 6th anniversary of two events that changed my life: At 2:30pm, I was diagnosed with Aggressive Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma. At 10:00pm, I read an email from the daughter I released 50 years ago, wanting to connect with me. Mother-love surged through me, giving the strength and perseverance to live in and through the years of treatment while building a loving relationship with Tracy, my daughter. There are miracles. Don’t quit before they happen.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Love Letter to Life 12.21.2025 Solstice

| Pamela Markoya

Dear Life, This shortest day of the year begins the season of Winter. Each day there will be a few more minutes of light. I live my life a day at a time and in the moment as best I can. With each new season, I reflect and reset my intentions. The 90-day outlook is manageable, respecting the needs and wisdom of my body. Cancer has taught me many lessons, this being one of the most important.
I wish you all a Happy Solstice and may there be light on your path.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Acrylic and Ink on Paper 12.17.2025