The holiday season is a time for reflection. It is a time when people are encouraged to think of how fortunate they are,about others rather than themselves and hopefully take action to be kinder,more thoughtful and generous toward others. I think this is the beautiful thing about the holidays. Because as we race through the days and weeks,often attending to a host of unnecessary tasks and obligations that clutter our lives, in addition to tending to work, family,friends,activities, we miss the simple things. The holidays do make us stop, if only for a moment. They mark the passage of time, another year lived. So instead of focusing on the commercialism, the traffic, the stress of added finances,the absence of loved ones, notice the beauty. It is there.
I love when children's faces and noses are flushed and rosey from the cold air,when even my teenagers want to drink hot cocoa and snuggle to watch a movie,when their eyes reflect the twinkling strands of holiday lights, when dark,chilled nights,especially snow filled ones, do seem silent and when strangers genuinely do say hello and wish you well.We hear constantly about experiencing "gratitude" and recognizing "abundance". Like beauty, sometimes it must be sought after and revealed. It is there.
This image is from last year.My children are like the holidays to me. They make me stop and pause for a moment...actually for many moments. They demand that I pay attention and notice life. This painting, which I recently entitled, "Breathe In, Breathe Out," was created for the many, seemingly endless and frightening moments, that I lay with my son who struggled to breathe on countless night,weeks,months... because of his asthma. I literally spent years sleeping with him, my hand upon his chest,making certain that he could breathe, ensuring that he would wake.This painting is of Christina,my daughter, sharing her breath with her younger brother,Robert. It is a celebration of life,of breathing effortlessly,of dreaming peacefully and of my gratitude for the many moments that my children command me to think about someone other than myself.Robert will celebrate his 16th birthday on New Year's Day! "Breathe In, breathe out" Tia and Robert!I will do the same.
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