Marcy Gregg ’80 on her memoir
Blank Canvas

Marcy Perkins Gregg ’80 overcame an unforeseen battle that caused her to lose 13 years of memories. She found unexpected beauty in hope, faith and second chances as explained in her book, Blank Canvas, published by Tyndale House Publishers.

“This is the story of what happened to me after I gave birth to our third baby. I got very sick with pneumococcal bacterial spinal meningitis. I went into a coma, and I was unresponsive for a week.”

Doctors did not think Gregg would come out of the coma, but when she did, something had changed.

“When I woke up, I had lost 13 years of my memories,” she says, adding that she had to “learn much of my life all over again with a husband and three children” after she returned home.

Gregg tried for years to recall the memories she had lost. She explained how she even put her wedding dress on one day, hoping it would help her remember her wedding, but the memories did not return.

“Finally, one night, seven years after the coma, God impressed on my heart that he saved me for the future, not the past, and at that point I was able to really let go. Now we live to make new memories.” 

Two things Gregg leaned on during this time were faith and family, including her husband, Dev, whom she met in her first month at SMU.

“Dev and I got married right out of school. His love and support surrounded me through the whole thing. He was just amazing and a big part of my recovery. We would both tell you that the reason we were able to get through the coma, memory loss and what happened after was the Lord; he was our Source.”

After going through something like this, people often wonder what someone has learned or taken away from the situation. Gregg thought about this question. She did not want to go through such a life-altering event and just “come through it,” but instead wanted to take something away from the experience.

“You don’t understand how or why it happened, but I believe it all has worked together for something good. God’s Word tells me that, and I believe it.”

As a professional artist, Gregg connected her experience to the process she goes through while layering oil paint as she creates in her studio.

“One day I was painting, and God really did impress on my heart that he is the master artist and we are his canvas and every layer in our life matters. He doesn’t waste anything, and he uses everything to make us who he wants us to be. When I came to that realization, I understood everything I’ve been through is making me who God wants me to be, and even though I do not understand it, it is all working for good.”

Gregg majored in studio art while at SMU but does not remember much of her studies. She put her art on hold while raising her family. Several years after the coma, Gregg had a great desire to paint.

“I woke up and I told my husband I wanted to paint, and he encouraged me to do it. Once I began, a great passion ignited.”

Gregg’s days are spent in her studio, and her work is found in multiple galleries across the country.

Gregg has limited memories from her time on the Hilltop, but the ones she does have she truly cherishes.

“I have a memory of sitting in Mary Vernon’s art history classes. That was such an opportunity. She was amazing. I loved going to SMU football games with Dev, and I loved living at McElvaney Hall. I was a Kappa Kappa Gamma, so I have great memories at the Kappa house during those days.”

Gregg credits the SMU alumni network for giving her the chance to connect with her peers during class reunions.

“We have gone to several of the reunions, and it’s been great to connect with those I remember, but it’s been even better to connect with those I don’t remember. That was so special for me.”

 

Visit Gregg’s website for more information on her must-read memoir, paintings and more.