In August of 2024 shingles snuck up on me. At first I thought it was an ear infection, there was a deeply painful ache in my cheekbone. Antibiotics didn’t touch it, I found myself dizzy and panicked. I wasn’t well, but it was mysterious, hard to pin down. Then the rash appeared. It seemed to be healing up and resolving within two weeks.

6 months later, I still experience pain deep within my ear, worse with stress, fatigue, hunger.

Here is my wish, for spring to help ease pain. And I hope it does for you too, if you are suffering.

Thank you to Fito Espinosa for the cool domestika class on symbolic illustration, I found a use for it immediately.