Thursday, September 11, 2014

Thinking about my father and 9/11

Stopping for clouds along the highway
Acrylic on birch panel
5 x7 inches
Barbara Muir © 2014
Today is the anniversary of my father's death,
a day that sticks in my heart year after year.
He died years before 9/11, so the day is
doubly resonant because of all it means.
I remember the day so clearly because my
father managed to say goodbye to all of
us the evening before he died, holding my
hand and calling me "beautiful."
This as he gasped for air under his oxygen
mask.  He was dying of lung cancer --
probably the direct result of being exposed
to radiation in the navy. His bravery inspired
me, and his determination to be strong was
a gift to all of us. 

Thinking about him today I wish he could
see how my life has turned out, how
art is at the center of my days, how his two
grandsons have grown into wonderful,
loving young men, both exhibiting his way
with words, and his artistic leanings.

As for 9/11, I never go to New York
that I don't think of it, of the courage
of that city, and of how valiantly it
has recovered its vitality and moved on.
Speaking of art, creativity and theater,
New York is really where it's at.  How I would
have loved to have gone there with my
Dad.

The painting tonight is another cloud scene
from Nova Scotia.  Looking at the reference
photos I have, I keep thinking I don't know how
Nova Scotians ever get anything done
when the skies are so achingly beautiful every day
that all I wanted to do was stare.

Have a loving-the-clouds-in-your-life day.

14 comments:

cohen labelle said...

This is beautiful Barbara. I could look at it till the cows come home and they ain't coming home anytime soon!
xo, Marcia

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Marcia,

Thank you. Ain't they? They ought to be in bed by now. My son travelled all across the country filming dairy farms, and generally the cows are in bed by sunset. Glad yours are party animals. Thank you so much.

Love your work to the max.
You know that.

XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Susan Carlin said...

Thank you for your sweet light, Barbara. Big warm hugs, Susan

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Susan,

And thank you for yours! I'm sure you're too busy, but I'd love to talk to you sometime. I'm so happy about what's happening in your life.

XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Wendy Barrett said...

Barbara, this is such a touching post and a great tribute to your father. It particularly resonates with me at the moment as my dad is currently not so good.
I love how you appreciate the clouds and are immortalising them in paint. I too am a great lover of sky-scapes. Did you know there is a cloud appreciation society out there, with more glorious cloud photos than you could poke a stick at!

Unknown said...

Love that sky Barbara, it has personality...attitude! Sad that you get a double whammy on Sep 11 with it being an anniversary of your father's passing. Dave left for Addis Ababa yesterday on Sep 11, so we had a nice dinner out at the airport hotel before he left. I purposely didn't watch anything on tv about Sep 11 because I didn't think I could handle the melancholy this year.

Kim Rempel said...

A beautiful, moody painting Barbara. And I feel for you. I'm sure it's a great comfort to have warm, beautiful memories of your Dad. xo

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Kim,

Thank you. I am fine, but I do mark the day for both reasons. I'm going to try talking to you this week. We were out your way yesterday, but I'd forgotten my phone!

XOXOXOXOXO Barbara
Love your work!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Wendy,

I am so sorry about your father. I will be thinking about you. I'm doing this out of order I'm sorry. The clouds today are phenomenal and I was trying to get my answers done so I could get out and take more photos. I am obsessed at the moment with skies!

XOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Sally,

Thank you. I know what you mean. I didn't watch this year either. My son and his girlfriend came for dinner and that was sweet. I try not to get sad thinking about it. I know my father would want me to be happy. Knowing people like you is part of why I am.

Love your work. XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Karen Bruson said...

It's a tough day all around.

Barbara Muir said...

Yes it is Karen.

Love your work.

XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

Dear Barbara, I missed this post but my heart is with you.
Beautiful skies, indeed!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Mary,

Thank you so much. It's good that we hold our parents in our hearts, that way they keep on going.

My Dad would have loved so much that we take for granted now -- like this phenomenon.

I am a sucker for clouds at the moment.

XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Portrait Artist

My photo
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I paint and draw on commission and for shows. To commission a portrait, or purchase one of my paintings please contact me at: barbara.muir@sympatico.ca
A major highlight in my career? Drawing Oprah Winfrey live via Skype for her show "Where in the Skype are you? Galleries: Studio Vogue Gallery, Toronto, Canada. The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City. Gallery at the Porch Door, Kingston, Canada. Your positive comments on this blog mean the world to me. I'd love to hear from you!