The art of goodbye

What is the art of Goodbye? I can see amazing paintings of ships with women waving delicate hankies from the prow, but in the modern world you send people off half way across the world in a fluorescent lit airport
with security everywhere, preventing them from taking even an apple on board, and the whole event is steeped
in a cocktail of boredom coupled with tears and fear.

The fear must always have been there.
Even when there was more possibility for ceremony.

Well I'm trying hard to be artful in how I say goodbye to my son, Christopher as he takes off to teach in Korea. I was lucky to spend quite a bit of time with him today looking for the perfect birthday present so we could have a mini birthday party for him tonight, before he goes. I've been drawing him since just after he was born, so he's certainly been an influence on my painting, and he is just a great person in every way.

Here's a sketch of my baby when he was one,
and a photo of Christopher and Megan hanging out
in our kitchen. I wish them every happiness on
their adventure, and can't wait until they're back
at our kitchen table again.

Have an appreciating-your-home day.

Happy Father's Day

My own father has been dead for 20+ years, although it's a testament
to the power of love, that my brother and I talk and joke about him
almost every time we phone each other. Steven, my husband, is a
great Dad -- loving, very involved in his sons' lives, and proud of them.
Tonight we're going to a send off party for my oldest, Christopher,who is going to Korea to teach English with his girlfriend, Megan, for two years. This will be quite the party, because it's Father's Day for both Dads, and
a Farewell event. The weather is planning to make its own fireworks I hear from the girl at the carwash,
so it should be exciting.

From left to right Christopher, Steven and Sam.

Have a loving-your-family-day!