Tag Life

Step by Step

betinaj 2 Comments

Happy June to you all.  This painting was a gift to my grandson for his high school graduation.  I am so proud of him and his success and accomplishment.  He had requested a patriotic theme for his grad gift art piece.  He was thrilled, which makes me super happy!

The time I spent painting his special piece gave me time to reflect on years of taking step by step to get to this point.  Not just in his life but as I learned in my life as well.  My grandson has been a special person in my life for so many reasons.  He and I would sometimes take two steps forward and one step back through his growing years.  We’ve always been kindred spirits, sharing so much together.  His communications skills have always been a strong part of his personality, making it easy for me to understand his struggles and achievements as he took those steps into adulthood. 

I’ve been so impressed with his resilience.  All those steps through that maze of life.  I’ve thought about how many times while walking through that maze I’ve hit a corner.  Many times just being in that corner gave me time to hesitate, think things through and not simply run for the finish line.  All the twists and turns in our lives bring us to a better place, a better person.  But, we do need support, we need each other, we cannot do it alone. 

I am so, so grateful for the years I’ve been able to support my grandson.  His step by step journey into life truly is just beginning.   He is heading out into the world and will be moving forward.  These steps into his future have a solid foundation and I am confident that he will handle his future decisions well.  Feeling grateful today…step by step.

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Preserving the Joy of Life

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This little sketch is from my art journal.  When I travel I take my art journal and a few sets of colored pencils…minimizing packing art supplies is not easy!  The words on this piece “preserve what you love in life” does have a special meaning.  I’m presently visiting my younger daughter (my hubby is home supervising a bathroom remodel while I have fun…he is a great guy!) and taking care of her little doggie while she travels for a few days.  My older daughter is further away.  We visit and text a lot but we only see one another a few times a year.  The last couple times we’ve visited she has canned pears, apples, you name it, she loves all that domestic “stuff”.  So, today my thoughts were with her and I pictured the mason jars she is filling with the future bounty they will enjoy! 

Keep all those special memories preserved close to your heart!copy Mason

Walking Path

betinaj 4 Comments

A new piece inspired by my recent effort to begin walking weekly with a friend.  It’s been an amazing experience to share our walks, our conversations and the beauty that surrounds us.  Last week we spied several different species of birds…so wonderful!  I’ve titled this piece: Walking Path.  Thank you for stopping by!IMG_0330 IMG_0335

New Discoveries

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  My husband and I enjoyed a great cup of java with friends early this morning.   I heard a wonderful little giggle.  At the table next to us a young mother and her little toddler were enjoying a morning outing.  The little guy was sipping juice through a straw.  By his joyful giggles my thoughts were; this has to be a fairly new discovery.  I shared with my husband and our friends that this is what we miss as we age…to be young and finding new discoveries.  Returning home I headed to my studio and sketched in my art journal….  of course, my sketch has my friend and I enjoying a glass of wine.  Some things become refined with age.

Keep Seeking New Discoveries…