Creation of
Cosmic Grandma Wisdom and its cover
Lauren’s beloved granddaughter Ambur Rockell West, a singer, songwriter, author, and artist, gave the book Cosmic Grandma Wisdom its endearing title and original cover.
A note from the cover artist -
My Cosmic Grandmother:
"She comes from the stars and I came from her. She was sent here with otherworldly wisdom and a heart that breaks at people's suffering. She gives her hands to the tending of flowers, fruit, and herbs; she relentlessly helps collect household items for the poor; she counsels the hurt; she has led tours to and written about sacred sites of the world.
When I was born, they did not put me into the arms of my scared fifteen-year-old mother -- I was placed in a metal pan and left alone; alone until my grandmother walked over to introduce herself.
​
Since that first conversation, she has spoken countless wisdoms to me which I have urged her to write. People often ask me how I didn't end up "messed up" from a crazy, rocky life -- I tell them it's because of her. To which she replies, "Oh, I just helped the roses grow." And that she did through my growing pains and seasons. Her lessons have been passed on to my friends through me, and so I urged her to write them down.
​
This painting (the artwork is painted completely with nail polish) is for the book I urged her to write, "Cosmic Grandma Wisdom." Now the seeds of her wild, sometimes unconventional wisdom are here, in this book, to scatter into your hands." --
Ambur Rockell West
