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!"
