Monday, January 26, 2009

On September 15, 2009, twin boys Walker and Wilson entered into our world. They are blessed to have family that adore and nurture their every need.
This painting is a preview of things to come in the not so distant future... a young mother playing with her children at the lake's edge. As a mother of two boys, and living at the lake too, I know there will be many surprises found in the lake...and many special memories will be made and treasured. Be on the look out for snapping turtles, floating stinky fish, baiting fish hooks with wiggly squishy worms, and boats, trucks and cars wrapped in moss and other lake "finds" that only little boys seem to discover, and love every minute...because your sons will be grown in the blink of an eye!

Monday, January 19, 2009

I just love bird nests! In the background of this painting I have written some of the words from the gospel song "In the Garden".
One of my favorite verses.... ....
"He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing."
This song was written by Charles Miles in 1914 and was inspired by John 20:15 which describes the experience of Mary Magdalene at the tomb of the newly risen Christ, in a garden setting.
Charles wrote this song in his windowless dark basement.
With the dark economy, the bitter winter weather and this song in my heart, I yearn for the lazy days of summer, garden parties, bird's chirping and a brighter economy.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

When I am energized, I paint, when I'm feeling blue, I paint. It is a wonderful therapy for me! "Feeling Blue" was painted over Christmas. Many people are depressed or saddened during the Christmas season. When I first started teaching, I worked with a principal who became clinically depressed during that time of the year, I never understood why you could become so saddened during Christmas-guess I hadn't lived long enough. Now, I understand, when you've lost so many family members, friends and their family members, I can see why the joy of Christmas can get lost in your own personal baggage. This Christmas, my sister-in-law and my very dear friend both celebrated Christmas for the first time without their mothers. I'm sure Doris, Edye and Hazel are in heaven getting acquainted and rejoicing.
My mother was special to me, she was always there for me, and I feel that she is in heaven guarding me and watching over me (I need all the help I can get mom!) Over Christmas, there were times in which I felt down and depressed. To pick myself up out of this funk I was in, I painted the red cardinal on a blue background in memory of my mother, Linda's mother and Debbie's mother.
I think this poem says it best....

My Mother My Friend
You were my fairy tale princess,
So much larger than life.
You were my angel and my witness
Through all my pain and strife.
At times you made me angry,
Great words I would proclaim
How someday you'd be sorry.
You were the one to blame
But when I needed comforting
You always found the time.
Your words were more soothing
Than days of childhood sublime.
Now the distance holds us apart,
The boundaries have no end.
I'll hold the memories in my heart.
You're my mother, my best friend.
-author unknown

Sunday, January 4, 2009

"Constant Friend" includes some of the words from a familiar hymn... This song plays in my mind when I think of my son, let me explain.
"Why?" that's what I've asked a million times! In 1991, my youngest son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. I remember that day...and I'll never forget that bitterness and anger that I felt when I heard the doctor's diagnosis. Through God's grace, I have begun to partly understand why this "thing" happened to my son. Just ask some of the people and friends he has met through the years, he has a gift, a God given gift! You would have to meet him to know about his gift.
Several years ago my son had major surgery on his hip to remedy pain from hip dislocation, unfortunately he is experiencing significant pain in that area again and we visit a new orthopedic doctor tomorrow. God is watching over him, just like the lyrics in the song. Jesus is very clear in Matthew 10:29, that not even a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the watchful eye of our heavenly Father.
Civilla Martin, who wrote the lyrics of the song, said this about her inspiration...
"Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr and Mrs. Doolittle--true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle's reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" was the outcome of that experience." -www.wilkipedia.org
God will be with my sparrow tomorrow, and always. God bless!