Malea’s mother Josalyn Jones died unexpectedly in 2020 from COVID-19. She was 43 years old. Malea the youngest of three sisters, is now working to adjust to a new life living with her Aunt Jacy. She joined the Rain Watcher Project in an effort to honor the memory of Josalyn and acknowledge her grief.

Artist Statement

When I think about water… I remember a precious memory of My Siblings, My mother and I at the pool.

On this day I felt happy because I was in water, which I enjoying playing in. I remember my mother sitting on a brown bench sunbathing. I laughed and smiled the whole time we were there.

Now, looking back at that memory, a cloud of saddens overcomes me. I wish that memory was my reality now. I was happier and now I have a grieving sadness that I will have to accept and live with because of my mothers passing.

When I go to the pool now, splashing and playing in the water, I still make great memories, but I’ll always feel like something is missing.

My first water memories were with my mother even before she gave birth to me.

Moving forward, I will save some of my waterworks and attempt to heal through water memories.