Sunday, June 16, 2013

A Day... For Expressing Gratitude




Happy Father's Day!!!


"Thank You... For the Music!" - oil on canvas 14x11 inches
A tribute of respect and gratitude to my Dad


Today is Father's Day.... a day set aside by families everywhere to recognize and honour those male co-heads of households who continually contribute their love... energy and life force every day throughout the entire year... and across a lifetime. They bring to a family strength and a male perspective... which combined with female side, enables children to enter the real world able to contribute and to receive gifts which reflect the environment and values of their communal home and upbringing.
The view of Gratitude that I mention in my post title above, I feel... is a two-sided. Today, I deeply feel the Gratitude I feel for my own Father. "He" was my Father... My Mentor and my Friend. He always attempted to talk across the table to "Me"... trying always to do so without scorn... shame or sarcasm... unless my actions deserved such. Simply put... he recognized my intelligence... my creativity and my absolute need to think freely and independently. That was his greatest gift to "Me." It was what persuaded and prompted me to always try lead my own families and my students in similar fashion. He led by his example!

The second face of my own view of Gratitude... is merely the Gratitude I hold deeply in my heart for the five uniquely beautiful children that I have been privileged to father. Each of them have been the greatest of blessings in my journey... and I cannot fathom life without their presence. They are my masterpieces! My paintings simply pale in comparison when compared. Each is a unique masterpiece... created somewhat from the contributions of their mothers and I... but more proudly on my view... each is quite simply unique and special because of their individual differences juxtaposed with their similar good and generous hearts and willingness to share their gifts with the world.

I know that my Dad (and my Mom) would share my pride today in seeing the footprint which their own many sacrifices and efforts helped shape in my children. Their gifts and values passed forward  to "Me" are now radiantly obvious in the achievements of Lisa, Allison, Andrew, Liam and Bryn. Today ... as I pause to reflect... and give thanks and show Gratitude to my Dad, and their Grampa... I reciprocally gives thanks and acknowledgement of my Gratitude to each of these beautiful young minds.

On this Father's Day... Sunday, June16th, 2013... "I" am deeply blessed!

I will close this post with a quote that I found while reading a special source of my own inspiration... past and present. It comes from The World According to Mr. Rogers ( Important Things to Remember) and reads:

" Actor Davis Carradine, son of John Carradine, said in gratitude of his father's accomplishments, " I could stand on his shoulders and feel twice as tall."
That each generation could stand on the shoulders of the last and feel twice as tall is a poetic hope for all our families.


A Happy Birthday for my first-born... Mona Lisa aka.... "Dolly-Dolly-Dumpkins, Queen of the Pumpkins"... artist, writer, Mother Extraordinaire, interior designer, floral arranger... now residing... crafting... B&B ing and mosaic- ing in the Barbados!



 Allison.... aka Ms Pig... In Venice, as we speak... here teaching her class at the Frari .
                                                                     "Rabbo Allison!" - teacher, writer, artist , chef, yoga enthusiast. painter, crafter... and generous spirit!


Andrew... aka Andyrewster... and Ms Tilly ... golfer, bowman, athlete, artist, now Ontario/GTA Rep for Thermal-Fisher (a division of OXO)



Liam... aka "Liam-pee 'em " (not pants!) about to Graduate high school in June... computer specialist/ builder/ programmer, painter, photographer and philosopher



Chef Bryn... aka "Mouse"... (now grown past that nickname)... woodworker, athlete, painter, sous chef more-than--worthy chess opponent and all around good guy - good pal

Can you see why I feel so blessed???

Rich blessings and Happy Father's Day!... to ALL Fathers out there.
Stand TALL!!!!... and Keep the faith!

Thank you Dad... and my beloved children for your unconditional life time gift of love!

Though we may travel very different paths in our outside lives, let us always hold hands... and remain together on the inside.

14 comments:

  1. Would that all dads put as much thought into the shaping of their children. A wonderful post and yes, you are indeed blessed.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good morning Sherry... and many thanks for your comment! I am indeed deeply blessed... as are you with the presence of your family and grand children in your own life.

    Would that more folks/dads could "see... and believe"... that in helping to shape and closely share positive values with their children... that they as well would shape the world to come... beyond their own time here. They too... could feel blessed!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest reghrads,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bruce! what an outstanding post!! I'm awash with chills! What a lovely family you have and what wonderful words you wrote! I'm sure your Father heard every one. And how wonderful to meet your incredible offspring! Happy Fathers Day indeed!

    and the painting is just lovely! beautiful words, beautiful painting, beautiful post!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi there Suz!... Thanks for taking the time to visit and to share your kind comments!

    You and I both know how important our loved ones are in finding and maintaining Happiness in our lives! Nothing else is as precious!

    I am deeply blessed... and bask in a rich gift of my family... each and every day that I am alive!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards... and hugs,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Bruce, I enjoyed meeting the "Clan". You truly are blessed, as are they.

    All the best,
    Keith

    ReplyDelete
  6. Good morning Keith!... Glad that you enjoyed the virtual "gathering of the clan"... we are blessed as a family!

    Thanks for visiting and for your comment!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dear Bruce,

    So sorry I missed wishing you and very Happy Fathers Day: You have a beautiful family Bruce. Yes, I can see why you are so proud of your children. Aside from their accomplishments, they look happy and healthy. God Bless them. I agree with Keith, they are blessed for having a dad like you.

    All the best to you,
    Joan

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Joan... Thank you for your visit... and lovely, rich compliments!

    Coming from another Family person... I know that they are both sincere and offered in a spirit and experience that we both share a common passion for!

    Deb and "I'... am richly blessed... as are "You" and Mike Joan!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  9. I was very moved by this post and say you are a lucky man indeed to have such a Dad and have had such a great role model to help father your own children, you have been truly blessed.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Good morning Diana!... I have nothing much more to offer... more than the generous and insightful words that you have already offered in your comment!

    I thank you for those words. "You"... and they fold nicely into that rich "ball" of blessings which have accumulated for "Me" on my journey!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love your passion about your painting and your family. Lucky you and lucky them! Happy Canada Day as well, my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi there Mary!... You have it totally right my dear! A life lived with passion never fails to send one rewards and blessings!

    Lucky "Me"... Lucky "They"... and Lucky "Us"! We are truly blessed as a family!

    Thank you for your visit and kind words Mary!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a beautiful post... I can just feel all of the pride and love in your family!!
    Yes you are blessed!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you Marian for visiting... and for your kind words!

    My Family... and my Art make "Me" feel so very blessed!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete