This piece did not begin as a collaboration, but when I was finished I had the feeling that something was missing. I asked Tim if he would help complete it. Seeing the impact of Tim's contributions to the final work, we both realized that this collaboration is a good metaphor for the dynamics of our Karmanos support groups, where by helping each other we often achieve greater results than what we might have achieved alone.
This piece can be displayed with hands facing either up or down. This is significant because when coping with the physical and emotional impacts of cancer, there are many times that we need to “reach up” for help. There are also many times when we need to “reach down” and offer to help.