Of Nightmares and Miracles: A COVID-19 Survival Story

Lynn Black Owens loves being a mother and grandmother. She loves her church family and loves being part of the Sand Mountain community.

One of her favorite pastimes was drawing and sketching. A publisher had approached her about making her art into an adult coloring book, so for the last couple of years, she has been trying to create enough illustrations for a full book.

In January of 2021, however, her world would change forever. Lynn tested positive for COVID-19 and was one of the small percentage of people hit hard. As the virus wreaked havoc on her lungs, Lynn would end up spending 147 days in the hospital fighting for her life, with 47 of those days being on a ventilator.

This is her story, not just of the physical trauma she endured, but of her mental and psychological journey as well. This virus takes so much from some people. Lynn survived and made it home, but she will never return to normal.

Intent on finishing the second half of the art needed for the book, Lynn discovered that she can no longer draw. She doesn't have the strength, coordination, or concentration, and her hands shake uncontrollably.

So, this book is a hybrid consisting of Lynn's COVID-19 story and the second half contains 53 coloring pages.