Dreaming of Baby Nicholas -Paint Party Friday

I have the most lovely niece in the world.  Haha.  And as you might guess, I am about to become an auntie!  I'm so proud of this beautiful young woman.  I decided to do a series of drawings with her and baby-in-tummy.  When I'm all done--she'll get a print of each of the drawings.

I'm thinking about putting out a coloring book for women who are pregnant!  I am not sure how popular such a thing would be, but I think it might be worth a try!

Above you see my sweet Melissa.  Her Mom took this wonderful photo.

And Happy Father's Day to Tony, who loves Melissa with such sweet strength and devotion.

Thank you for coming by--your visits are such an encouragement to my heart!  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Bubble Dancer -Paint Party Friday

There is magic to be found in a bubble dancing over the flower garden.  Here you see a bubble dancer.  I would SO love to be able to hold a bubble in my hands as she is doing--to marvel over its' rainbow hues and upside down world.

It is Memorial Day weekend here in the United States.  Monday we celebrate the lives of the men and women who served this country and have passed away.  Dad, Uncle Jody and Uncle Kelly are all at the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.  I am very proud of them.

Above you see a picture of Dad fishing.  He LOVED to fish.  He was a wonderful man.  Though I knew Dad fought in WW2, it wasn't until I was an adult I learned he had been captured in the Battle of the Bulge and spent time as a prisoner of war in a Nazi prison camp, specifically Stalag IX-B in Bad Orb.

Conditions were terrible and Stalag IX-B was ranked as one of the worst of the Nazi camps. Dad was a boy of 18 years old when he was drafted.  He nearly died there.  He was one of only three in his unit who survived. I'm so grateful that my gentle, yet strong Daddy came home safe and sound to meet Mumsie and make a family.

Thank you for dropping by.  Your visits are so encouraging to me.  Blessings and hope to each of you dear ones, and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Daddy, Tell Me a Story -Paint Party Friday

I posted this once before, back in 2009.  I have been so busy, I just haven't had time to do much art, so hence this post.

This Cloud Painting takes me back to when my children were small. Every night when we'd tuck them into their beds inevitably one of the kids would say, "Daddy, tell me a story..."
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My Beloved was a wonderful storyteller.  Over the years--since they were tiny babies--Alan would tell them fantastical bedtime stories about a mysterious Sea Captain. The Sea Captain became so real the kids once stopped a man in Oregon's coastal town of Lincoln City, to ask if HE was the Sea Captain.
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Each of the Sea Captain stories had a theme.

One evening the story he told was to teach the children to call upon God in times of trouble. The lights were were low. Alan lay on his back on the old waterbed, the girls perched on his outstretched arms. They were on a boat in the open sea.
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Suddenly a storm blew up out of nowhere! The wind was ferocious, the ship began to rock. I provided the "sound effects for the wind."

Alarmed the Sea Captain began to shout orders. Alan's up-flung arm became the mast, as our youngest daughter began to pull in the sails. On the other side, the eldest was ordered to "frappe" the boat as the waves of the sea grew higher and higher. Our young son, the official thundercloud, began to bounce up and down on Dad's feet. The lightning flashed! I flickered the overhead lights. And the thunder grew louder and louder!
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The boat began to bounce and rock dangerously from side to side! The thunder growled and the clouds grew darker and darker. I switched off the bedside lamp. It began to rain furiously. The deck was so slippery no one could walk without being swept out to sea! Giant waves were splashing clear up over the ship!
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"Nothing more can be done!" cried the Sea Captain. "What should we do?"
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But all that rocking had put one little sailor nearly to sleep. She opened one eye, and with a huge yawn she replied, "Call 911!"

Alan was a great Dad.  We all miss his stories and wonderful jokes.  Sunday afternoon, the kids and I sat around the fire pit playing music and sharing stories and laughter, as we often did when Alan was here.  We will miss Alan for the rest of our lives.  He was such a wonderful man.  He filled our world with color, laughter and song.  What a blessing for those precious memories.

Here are the original clouds I photographed for the cloud painting Daddy, Tell Me a Story.  God bless you, dear ones.  Have a lovely week and Happy Paint Party Friday!

Hope of Sunrise -Paint Party Thursday

I always try to put in two pieces, one I've finished and another graphite drawing from my sketchbook.  Please take a look at both, as they are quite different.

In my experience some folks don't quite know how to react when the loss of a loved one is brought into the spotlight.  So, I have featured this first painting which has a sad feeling (but with hope!)--and the sketch below, which is a bit more light-hearted and whimsical.  ((hugs))

In explanation, I have been feeling sad the past two days.  I couldn't figure out why, until I realized this is right about the time Dad had the stroke which took him from us a month later.  I will likely grieve his loss in our lives for the rest of mine.  We all will. 

This is an acrylic painting I made for my Mom right after Daddy died.  It is really really big--and I had to photograph it.  The photograph doesn't do the original painting justice, as the colors are more neon than the original.  Still--it conveys the weeping heart of the dear Shepherd, Whom Mumsie loves.

I spent hours and hours writing out every Bible verse I could find about hope and comfort onto the canvas.  Even if your beliefs are different than mine--hope is universal.  Blessings and hope to each of you.

And now the more light-hearted, whimsical side, here is another peek into my sketchbook.  Above is a little faery playing a morning melody. She marched out of my pencil yesterday as the workers pounded, thudded, thwacked and sawed a tumult of noise, as they worked on the chimney!

PS  I just found out I've been featured on Paint Party Friday!  What an honor--thank you!

Have a lovely day, sweet Friends!  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Arise My Son -Guest Heart Thursday

These are the words Mumsie read to Dad, just before he flew away to heaven.  It is a paraphrase from the Song of Solomon.  Here I sense the beauty of God's immense Love for us, I feel the Lord's great joy as He leaps and runs to meet Daddy, to hug him and to lead him into heaven. 

Our Lord comes

Look! here He comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills.

Our Lord speaks to us.

He is like a gazelle or a young stag!

Look! He stands behind our wall gazing through the windows,

Peering through the glass.

Our Lord speaks  to you:

"Arise my darling son, my precious boy and come with me

"See! Your winter is past; the rains are over and gone.

"Flowers appear on the earth; the seasons of singing has come.

"The cooing of doves is heard in the land whence I come.

"The fig trees forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.

"Arise, come, my darling son, my beautiful one.

"Come with me!" 

~ A Paraphrase by Eva J. Gibson 

To see Dad's Memory Book, please visit Peake Funeral Chapel.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!
 

Into Heaven's Sunrise

Ten days ago, Daddy left us at Sunset--here he is, joyfully stepping into heaven's sunrise.

This is the final effort of one of my first attempts to meld my own artwork into a real photograph.  The actual photo is very small.  I'm so grateful for this wonderful scanner.

May God be gracious to you 

And bless you 

And cause His face 

To shine upon you.

Joy of the Angels

Saturday, December 17th, just before six, I was in the middle of setting up the stage for yesterday's drama.  Suddenly I became so dizzy I had to sit down.  It was the strangest feeling--as though a part of me was suddenly missing. 

Miles away, at the VA hospital, Mom had been holding Dad's hand praying.  Then his fingers gently cradled hers--a moment later he was gone.   He flew away at 5:45--exactly when the dizziness overcame me.  I know Dad tenderly carries a piece of our hearts with him always--we who are left behind grieve, yet we have hope.

I can only imagine the joy of his Shepherd and the angels, as Daddy arrived in that beautiful place prepared just for him.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers over these difficult weeks.  Please continue to hold Mumsie close in your prayers.  She will be walking a different path now--one without her best Friend and lover--as Mummers has always said--he was the wind beneath her wings.  Also, pray for my sweet sissy Clytie, who has always been such a great gift and help to my parents and the twins. Sissy Leigh, who will be helping with all the arrangements and her family, our brother Mark and his family and Darren and his family will all welcome your prayers.

Take time with the ones you love.  Work can wait.  You'll never regret spending those precious moments.  Life is fragile. God bless you--every one of you dears out there--with abundant life, extraordinary love and amazing joy. 

Welcome Home

Thursday I lost my breath and my heart started to beat so hard, I could not even stand to wash the dishes...my knees were weak and I was shaking.  So, I sat down and drew the artwork which is incorporated into this picture for Mom. As I was drawing my heart slowed, the shaking stopped and my breath returned.

This is is an old picture of Dad hiking along a trail.  He loved to hike and explore.  Mom says that's Mt. Jefferson in the distance.  I still have to figure out how to make the drawings more detailed in the photo. I'm also not sure I will be using the fiery sunset clouds from a photo I took in the back yard.  Nonetheless, I thought you would like to see my first attempt at melding art and photo.  It isn't very good yet--but it gives an idea of what I'd like to do.

Daddy is headed for heaven any time now.  He will be soon clasped in the gentle arms of the Great Shepherd Who loves him.

 Thank you for your warm thoughts and continued prayers.

UPDATE:  Daddy left for heaven at 5:45 p.m. today.  He is out of pain and I know he is in a much better place.  We will miss him SO much.  Ah, our hearts are breaking.

Heart Breaking News

Heart breaking news.  Our dear Mumsie will be staying at the VA Hospital in Portland with Dad, until Daddy flies away to heaven.  I am so grateful to the Veteran's Hospital for their great kindness to Dad and to Mom as they share their last days together.  Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for our precious family during this time. 

On Wings of Doves

Dad has taken a turn for the worse and is now in full Comfort Care.  Daddy is getting ready to go  home to be with His Savior.  Though our hearts are full of grief and we will miss him, we take comfort in the words of our Lord:  "Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself that where I am, there you may be also.  And you know the way where I am going."   (John 14:2-4)

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.  He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then He said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."  He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.  He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son."   (Revelation 21: 4-7)

When I called this morning, Mumsie told me her special prayer--she says when it's time for Dad to go, she's praying an angel will arrive in a long, gold-plated muscle car with big fins and the rag top down.  Bro Dow, Dad's sweet Mom, his brother and sister will be riding shotgun--there'll be hugs and greetings, then with a heavenly smile, the angel will open the door of that car.  I can see Dad grinning as he hops into the driver's seat, to drive through the gates of heaven, golden winds cooling his brow, the love and laughter of His Savior and family in his ears.

More than just about anything else, Daddy loved to drive his car everywhere on all kinds of adventures.  It seems only right he'd drive into heaven for the greatest adventure of all.

There is a hush in the air as we await Daddy's homegoing.  Please pray for our family and especially for Mumsie, as she is going to miss her very best friend--the love of her life.

Thank you for your prayers for Dad and Mom--and for our family.  We treasure you.

Dear Beloved Daddy

Two days ago, Daddy had a major stroke.  Sissy and I held him as Mom called 911.  He is in the hospital now.  Though his mind seems sharp, he can't speak.  He can nod yes, or no.  He can't move his right arm.  He isn't able to swallow and has refused a feeding tube.

I believe heaven is very close right now.  Please pray Dad will feel God's presence there with him and sense God's tender mighty arms wrapped around him, so he won't be afraid--and especially that he will not suffer. 

Ah, our hearts are breaking.

Sissy Clytie said it best,  "So many people from around the world are directing their thoughts and prayers toward Dad and Mom; and our entire family. My heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you."

My Hero

This is a drawing of my Hero. The original photo was taken by my younger brother Mark, who is a photo journalist in The Dalles. In the actual picture, Dad is tenderly looking down at his first born grandson, cradled there in his arms.

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Dad was on his own very early in life. The eldest of nine children, at a mere 18 years old, he was drafted into the US army. He was still a kid, really, when he took part in the Battle of the Bulge in WW2, parachuting down behind enemy lines.

Dad was captured by the Germans, miraculously, for nine months, he survived unspeakable conditions as a prisoner of war in a Nazi prison war camp. Bad Orb was the worst of them--Dad was 96 pounds, only skin and bones, when he arrived back home.

He is the father of six children. I am the eldest. Dad built a home for us with his own hands. All his life, he worked very hard to provide for his family. 

Dad loves birds. He whistles to them and they sing back. He's an honorary bird. They trust Dad--sometimes to the point of perching upon his shoulders.

Children of all ages are drawn to him. They know he loves them. Dad has a special way with people, too. He charms everyone he meets with a cheery comment and a twinkle in his eye. People always smile when Dad is around.

 

I have been blessed by the gentle strength, wisdom and love of my earthly Father. Because of Daddy, I see God as my dear Heavenly Father, who loves me unconditionally, disciplines me in love and who watches over me and my family every day of our lives. Because of Dad's loving example, I am able to call my Heavenly Father, Abba Daddy. 

A true hero will often say, "I'm no hero, anyone in my place, would have done the same thing." Not so. A true hero's unselfish deeds, often in the face of grave danger, are accomplished by instinct, their actions born from a nobleness of heart.

Today Dad must wear a brace because his neck hasn't healed from the accident last July.  The bones are still broken.  The miracle is he can still walk, sit, eat--he still has all movement intact.  Though this is a constant hardship for him, he still keeps going on. 

 

May God always and ever bless our Hero. Our father. Our Daddy. Our Hero.

Daddy

Here is a graphite picture I drew of my Father. In the photograph which inspired this drawing, Dad is looking down at his first-born grandson cuddled there in his arms.

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We would appreciate your prayers for our Dad and Mom. Yesterday after leaving our home, they were involved in a terrible car accident. Mom is alright, though she is awfully shaken and terribly bruised. Dad has a broken vertebrae in his neck, but the spinal cord is still intact. They did not have to do surgery on his neck, because the fracture has been stabilized. Dad is very very frail. Please pray for Dad's healing, and for our family. Strange how life can change in one moment.