Thursday, October 9, 2014

Blessings... and Bliss


Octoberfest!... This weekend marks that special time of the year when families in Canada gather to share time and food... and more importantly to "join hands"... in love and gratitude for the copious blessings that we have enjoyed as a family during the past year. In such a diverse and spread out society, it requires a huge commitment by all... to put their separate lives on hold and to come together to celebrate.

Deb and I have enjoyed many blessings in our separate and joint lives during 2014. Perhaps the pinnacle event in 2014 for "Me" was the gift of another grandchild - a special wee lad... Malcolm Justin Michael Sherman, aka "Wee Mac"... first child of my son Andrew and his wife Melissa Hill. This will be his first Thanksgiving... and our first one spent all together... in a very long time. It will certainly be an event to celebrate... and to long remember. We are all itchin' to get our hands on this "bonny lad"!

The true wonder of the "child blessing" mentioned above is the state of euphoria and pure bliss which has fallen upon my son Andrew. The joy in watching "Him" embracing his first newborn child stirs a now very distant memory of a moment in my own life journey when I too... was flooded in and "smitten" by a similar state of rapture... joy and contentment. It is the milestone marker in all human journeys. It is the karma of man and woman to bring new life into the world. There exists no comparable moment in one's journey as to sharing in such a moment in Creation.... when we hold in our hands ... someone... "created in our own likeness".

Blessings... and Bliss...all rolled into one... "We are greatly blessed" and have yet another reason this year to give thanks at the same table. And we shall...

To those members of my Family... who will be missing at the table on Sunday... know that my heart will hold you present during every moment of our celebration. You are with "Me"... always... and forever... each in a unique fashion described only by our "being"... together. I love each of you dearly!

I wish as well... to offer rich blessings to all of my blogging Friends on the eve of our Canadian Thanksgiving celebration... no matter where you live. You too, are on my own list of personal daily blessings. Reaching out in this way across the vast distance(s) between us is a privilege. It brings great joy and purpose into my day and life.You encourage me to strive for growth and further increase in my own artistic expression. You are all indeed catalysts of change in my outlook... and painting process... simply because you stir me to think... to paint... to write and to release my ideas to the world. And "I"... am better for that! Thank you all!!

Rich blessings ... and Good Painting... to ALL!
Happy Thanksgiving!

I wish to share a few photos... Thanksgiving "Allsorts" which encapsulate my sense of Joy... as I write today.


"Latched on"... for life!...  Male breast feeding!


"He" leadeth "Me" beside still waters... it restoreth my soul.... " Blessings... and pure Bliss!


 "Bounteous Blessings"...
"Count your blessings... name them one by one..."


"Cold Hands... But Warm Heart"... my depiction of "Loner" at Holland Road School... not far from Rockport in January of 2001!!! Yikes!... Who'd a thunk it? Happy Thanksgiving to you, Marg and the lads Frank! See you next week!


From my full sheet "purist" watercolour days and ways of the 80's... when I walked and dreamed following in the footsteps of the iconic Andrew Wyeth... and Canadian realist icon Ken Danby. Both are passed... but their influence lives on... in the art of so many... including my own... but in my own fashion!



14 comments:

  1. I think we miss out here in the UK! We don't have any type of celebration like Octoberfest or Thanksgiving - only Halloween, which is more for the kids really... Still, I love seeing the posts of people from across the pond, sharing their celebrations! I also became a Grandmother recently - 6 months ago to be precise. He is so precious!!
    Your photo's are a joy and your paintings are fabulous! I particularly love the one of the Artist at the easel of course. Congratulations on the new addition to your family :0)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good morning Sandra!.. How nice to hear from you! Thank you for sharing your own thoughts about Thanksgiving from ... "across the pond"... as we say over here! Much appreciated!

    Seeing one's grandchildren... happy ... healthy and in good hands is amongst the finest of life's blessings. I think that we both recognize and fully appreciate that fact.

    I believe that every day... if only for brief moments... each one of us should take the time to look over their life... and to count their blessings! Gratitude works hand in hand with Happiness... and Joy! I choose do so in early morning... by counting less sheep! HA HA!! Choices!

    My congratulations and richest blessings back to "You"... and "Yours" Sandra!
    Happy Fall... and Thanksgiving! Thanks for dropping by!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  3. Joy and celebration! Wonderful post, Bruce. Happy Holidays and family times, to you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good morning Mary!... Joy and Celebration... back to you from Rockapulco Mary!

    Glad that you enjoyed the post. We share the same outlooks and attitudes Mary... just in different places! Continue to spread the joy in your world... in your own fashion. .. watch our combined Joy multiply!

    Good Painting and Happy Fall Mary!

    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dear Bruce - wishing you and all your family a blessed Thanksgiving. Your grandson is certainly adorable and a wonderful blessing. We will enjoy ours in November (Thanksgiving) - certainly a favorite holiday for me. Although every day we get up - move - see and do is a reason for being grateful. This visit to your wonderful blog is another! Have a wonderful time with your family. God Bless!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Good afternoon Debbie!..And a Happy Thanksgiving back to "You... and your Family!

    Thank you for sharing your own valid thoughts about Gratitude... and Thanksgiving! They line up exactly with our own as a couple... and a "blended" family grouping!

    It both pleases... and encourages me further to continue sharing through this blogging forum. How else could we "connect"... and would we ever have done so?

    I wonder...???

    Enjoy your celebration... and may God bless "You"... each and every day!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a wonderful post, Bruce! It made me smile to read it. Congratulations on your latest grandson...Your son certainly looks so proud holding that handsome boy! LOVE his plaid shirt! its amazing that they can produce that size shirt!! LOL
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family...AND love all the paintings especially "Loner"!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good evening Hilda!... Nice to hear from you again!

    Thank you for visiting...and for ... as always leaving encouraging comments! I was touched that when I first met Mac... that Andrew and Melissa had chosen to dress him like his ol' Grampa S... in "complete uniform"... jeans and Canadian Mackinaw Plaid (Tux). I was wearing a plaid shirt that his deceased maternal Grampa Mac had worn I felt honoured to be offered it by Joan... and wear it often. Mac and I were great pals... and fishin' buddies. He is greatly missed... but now "present" thru' Wee Mac.

    We will indeed have a great celebration together. "Loner" will be spending his Thanksgiving with wife Marg at the Niagara rink in NY State... watching his two grandsons... now on hockey scholarships playing together there... for the first time. Another great adventure for the Edwards clan! We are deeply blessed.

    Happy Fall Painting Hilda!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love such a grounding and loving post, Bruce. I wish you the happiest of Thanksgivings as you celebrate with your family.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Good morning Sherry!... Thank you for visiting... and for offering your kind thoughts and wishes!

    I send hopes for rich blessings in your life Sherry!

    Happy Fall and Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wonderful post, paintings and snaps! Thank you for sharing your joy with us! Congratulations on your new addition!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi there Suz!... Thanks for the visit... and for the encouraging comments!

    Always my pleasure to chat and share with you my Friend!

    Good Fall Painting!

    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Bruce what a heart warming post! great to see those paintings from the past, the journey continues and what a cute grandchild you have too. I like the title of 'counting your blessings' showing a barrow full of harvest goodies! Enjoy this special time of the year!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi there Lass!... Good to have you aboard again!

    You are so right Caroline!... you look to the past to help guide your moving forward. Accepting change and adapting to it... is the essence of living life fully. That is especially so in one's creative endeavours.

    Wee Mac is a "bonnie lad"... already with a head start in life... given the steady nurturing of every aspect of his needs... by two wonderful parents. I am so proud of them all !

    My own personal "barrow" is indeed... full to overflowing! I want for nothing really... and feel deeply blessed...

    Good Painting and Happy Fall to you!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete