My dear Mom Jean Fleming Scott (Birrell) Sherman passed away on July 6th, 2005 after enjoying 86 wonderfully complete years in this world. As is the case with most elderly individuals... it was not without its share of trials... tribulations and tests of her immense Faith.
Her passing left a huge piece of "me" missing and "I" did struggle for the longest time to reconcile her leaving . My struggle included many visits to her graveside... copious bouquets of her favourite summer wildflowers... as they appeared throughout the summer months. A daily journal devoted to both her and Dad... recalling in some detail remembrances of them which visited "Me" in my day-to-day life.
Her favourite flowers... field daises and black-eyed Susans (also my own)... were constant subjects that could be found on my easel. One could safely say... and accurately so... that I painted and wrote my grief . My painting and my music have always been vehicles for "Me" to diminish the sadness(es) of my journey and the periods of depression that visited "Me" regularly over my lifetime. These have been mighty blessings in my life and "I" am ever grateful for these gifts.
It was my Mom who took us (and all the neighbourhood pals) on Sunday hikes when we didn't have a car. It was also "Her" that bought and paid for our summer cottage "Shangri-la" on the beautiful and peaceful St Lawrence River at Narrow's Lane Road... working long hours as a cashier at a five n' dime store to pay for it. These gifts from "Her" were to become the underpinnings of the Self and artist that "I" have worked to become. Without "Her" and her gifts and love?.... Well "I" can't imagine!
So today... my sadness certainly is still present... but it is overwritten with Gratitude... Love... Pride... and a simple, accepting-without-proof and child-like Faith quoting from a family song favourite:
Well meet again...
Don't know where...
Don't know when...
Some sunny day!
"I" love "You" ... Forever Mom!....
................."Bushel and a peck... and a hug around the neck!"
Our parents are treasures within us.
ReplyDeleteHi Marian!... How wonderful your comment... and supportive of my view as well!
ReplyDeleteGood Parenting IS... an Art!....capital "P" fully intended!
Good children... are the "masterpieces" they unselfishly create and share with the world.
Thank "You"... for your wonderful and enlightening comment Marian!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Well said Bruce. Lovely floral still life. All the best to you.
ReplyDeleteJoan
Thank "You" Joan... for your visit and for your encouraging thoughts and comments!
ReplyDelete"I" always enjoy our chats... back n' forth!
Thank "You" too... for the kind words sent my way via your own blog site!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
A most wonderful post and a true testament to a mother's love.
ReplyDeleteThank "You"... Autumn!
ReplyDeleteFor all of us... Moms are our places of origin.For the most part... "They" are our protectors... our "Captains" if you will!
They are at the pinnacle of the very few individuals we meet on our journeys... who teach us... through their actions... the true meaning of ..."unconditional love".
My friend Marian Forunati sums up my own feelings very simply and beautifully in a few succinct words:
"Our parents are our treasures within."
Amen to that!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
What a lovely painting in tribute to your mother's memory. I must say your writing brought a tear to my eye when remembering my own mother, who was the "glue" to my family. Our wonderful memories sustain us. Best to you Bruce.
ReplyDeleteHi Sue!.... Thank "You" for visiting and commenting!
ReplyDeletePainting and writing evoke and draw out emotions... often chained and held deeply within all of us!
Can there be any better reason to paint... write... sing... read?
"I" cannot imagine a world void of these activities. Neither can "I" fathom ...or consider not sharing them!
It makes "me" happy to know that my thoughts... could be shared by "You". That means... neither of us is alone with our thoughts... feelings... or "plights"!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards to "You" Sue,
Bruce
Just read this post today here in Brampton and finally got a chance to check my blog...sending my thoughts to you at this time...I lost my parents in recent years so I know the pain and sense of loss. You have written a beautiful tribute to your mother and the floral painting is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen!.... Welcome back to Ontario! Brampton is not far away from The Paint Box Gallery. So.... for the moment at least we're close geographically.
ReplyDeleteBut always... we seem close in our thoughts... life experiences for sure... interest in art... and the importance of family we both share deeply!!
Can't be closer than that I'd say!
Thank "You" for your compliments!
"I" much enjoy our chats ..... and sharing!It's comforting to "connect" in so many ways!
Hope that you enjoy your vacation here!
Good painting... and "playing"....HAHA!!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
I just found your blog- and here is a post that so speaks to me- as an artist and as a person. My mom is still "here" physically, but she has alzheimers and so often thinks I am her sister, and sometimes forgets the grandchildren she so adores. It is a horrible disease- but is there any good disease? It has given me and my family the blessings of realizing our time is finite and we have tried to make the most of it. And to learn to say "I love you" often to those who matter most. And lastly- to realize the great blessings given to me by my parents. Without mom's strength in not giving in to my fighting about practicing I would not be playing a beautiful piano nor learning the harp. Mothers (parents) are truly our blessings and our treasures along with our children. We have gems in youth and old age that are the riches of life.
ReplyDeleteHi Carol!... Thank "you" for visiting.... but mostly for having the courage and conviction to share these intimate and deeply-held feelings!
ReplyDeleteBlogging serves as such a service to all of us who value Truth... who recognize our blessings... and openly declare our gratitude to thee whole world... for those important people in our lives who have shaped our existence... and made us better!
Enjoy your Mom as "I" did my own. "You" won't regret the pain you are feeling in seeing "Her" to the end of her journey. It will give "You" the personal courage to face your own mortality. Much Peace to "You"!
Thanks for sharing!
Warmest regards!
Bruce