Hello my friends, is it strange that one quarter of the year is passed already? Time is precious and this month’s story brings that to light in the most profound way. A word of caution before we dive in: this month’s story is about grief and terminal illness. If these topics are too heavy or difficult for you at this time, please feel free to skip it. Take good care of yourself first and foremost.
The painting for this month was a gift for my Dear Friend’s father (to respect their privacy, I’ll refer to her as my Dear Friend throughout this story). I actually created a matching set of paintings, this larger one for Uncle, and a smaller one for my Dear Friend. I sent it to them for Christmas in 2024 in memory of my Dear Friend’s mother.
I met my Dear Friend in grade nine and over the years, our friendship deepened. She was like a sister I never had. We stood at each other’s weddings and she was there for me the day my dad died. In high school, I spent many afternoons and weekends at her place and her parents were always so kind to me. Even though it had been a while since I last saw her parents, it was devastating to receive the news that Auntie had terminal brain cancer.
Auntie was a woman of faith and had the gentlest, kindest heart. A fiercely loving person and always one with a giant smile on her face, her loss left a gaping hole in the world.
After Auntie’s passing, my Dear Friend, her family, and her dad came out to Vancouver where they were able to scatter some of the ashes into the ocean near where Auntie had grown up. When she texted me a photo from the beach that day, I knew I had to paint it for them.
The pair of paintings are titled, “Here She Is” and “She Is Here.” “Here She Is” was to be a reminder of the place Auntie’s ashes were scattered. And “She Is Here” was to remind my Dear Friend that her mother’s love is always with her. (Note: I made a mistake on the calendar and printed the wrong title.)
I chose this piece for the month of April in honour of Auntie who passed on April 16, 2023. Perhaps, too, it is in honour of all those who have loved us deeply and have gone before us. I hope this piece can speak of love’s enduring presence and bring us to places of gratitude for the moments we have been able to share with those closest to us.
For those with the Scripture calendar:
This month’s scripture is from Isaiah 41:10, which says, “Be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” I hope it can be an encouragement to you, whatever challenges you might be facing.
Questions for reflection, if you want to go deeper: The cloud formations in this image are quite dynamic. What do you see in them? Who has been an example of a fiercely loving person in your life? How can you love someone today?
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As always, I love to hear from you! If something in this story resonated with you, if you’re interested in commissioning a painting, or if you have other thoughts, feel free to email or connect with me on Facebook or Instagram. Thanks for being part of my journey and for letting me be a part of yours!