Life's Sweet Sadness

The drawing above is a draft of a card from our family, to be sent out at Christmas in the early 1990's.  I see the bright happiness and sweetness of our family reflected in this graphite sketch.  How life has changed since those long ago days.

Three years ago, right about this moment, Alan was being rushed to the hospital to take his last breaths.

That day is emblazoned upon my heart and into my eyes.  I miss my Beloved.  There is a certain heart hunger for his presence which will always be a part of my life.

I am SO thankful to have shared this great adventure with my husband.  What wonderful fun we had.  Such tussles we had--a great love with all the ingredients of life--laughter, tears, sweetness, anger, work, companionship, love.  My family and I have been blessed.

I am grateful to God for bringing Alan into my life.  My Beloved put the flavor into living.  I grieve, I always will.  But there is so much for which to be thankful.  Blessings to you all, dear ones.

My Beloved in the Clouds -SkyWatch Friday

Here is the face of my Beloved.  Monday is Alan's Heaven Day.  It will be the third anniversary of his parting from us.  He left a big hole in all our lives, and is sorely missed.

He was a beautiful person.  I miss him with all my heart.

Above you see the original cloud I caught with my camera.  I hardly had to do a thing.

God bless you, dear ones.  It is a good thing to look up. Have a lovely weekend and Happy Skywatch Friday.

And Glory Shone Round About Them -Paint Party Friday

When I was a child I loved the story of Christmas found in the Bible.  I saw the whole thing as beautiful and romantic.  I didn't really care for St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus much.  He didn't appeal to me as much as the magical story of Mary and Joseph.

I have been working with my Friend Lorie on a children's book entitled Christmas With Grandma for a little over two years.  We've added six new pages.  It is our goal to have it printed and assembled in time for Christmas orders--which means only a few more weeks left to put it together!

This pen and ink drawing illustrates the part of the story where angels appear to shepherds who were watching their sheep by night.  They are announcing the arrival of the newborn Baby sent from God.

I like how the drawing turned out.  I especially love the sheep--there's one little fellow who is SO endearing I wanted to pop him out of my drawing to give him a little cuddle.

And now to put color to all these new pages! Have a wonderful weekend, dear ones, and Happy Paint Party Friday!

A Beautiful Beginning

This is a pen and ink drawing from years ago.  It is of me, my Beloved Husband Alan, and our first born.  Oh, we were so young, with many adventures ahead.

I still feel like he might come in the back door laughing, his eyes sparkling, with a story to tell and a joke to make me laugh.  I miss him so much.  We were married for 31 years.  It is hard to believe he has been gone for three years at the end of this month.

I will always treasure our adventure. 

Flower Face Bouquet -Paint Party Friday

This is a drawing I just finished.  It is for a poster to be used at a Women's retreat the first week of November.  I will be speaking on the importance of friendship--The Fragrance of Friendship. 

Since my husband's passing three years ago October 30th, I have learned so much about the power and beauty of Friendship.  How grateful I am for true friendship--the kind which is worthy to be cultivated, nurtured and protected.

Treasure your friends, dear ones.  Happy Paint Party Friday!

The Journey Begins -Paint Party Friday

This is a drawing I completed last week to be included in a new coloring book on Friendship which will be available in mid-November.  It depicts Ruth and Naomi, from the book of Ruth, found in the Bible.

Naomi's husband and two sons have passed away.  She has been living in another country and determines she must return to her homeland.  Naomi has, in her bitterness, told her daughter-in-law Ruth to go back to her own people.

But Ruth clings to Naomi and cries out, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge.  Your people shall be my people and your God, my God.  Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me."

This story is a beautiful picture of friendship, loyalty and love.  Though they endure great hardships, in the end Naomi finds hope and meaning in her life and Ruth is given the desire of her heart.  It is a great picture of God's goodness.

Have a great weekend and Happy Paint Party Friday.

First Born -Paint Party Friday

I recently found a photo of me and my first born when she was a tiny tyke.  It was so sweet, I did a little sketch of us.  Here it is, dear ones.  I have had a very busy week--and another one ahead of me.

I pray your days are lovely and that you will find unexpected blessings around every corner.

Have a great weekend and Happy Paint Party Friday.