More Than Just a Bowl of Cherries

Jeff* and I talked over a year ago when he called to ask if I'd do some commission work for him. Time went on and I never heard back from him until he appeared at the Mountain Brook Show last month. He said it had been a crazy year. He went on to say he lost his mother last year and then told me he buried his father just last week. He said with resolve, he will work less going forward he will take time to enjoy the little things...a way to honor his parents memory. He said he wanted either an 8x10 of strawberries or cherries, whichever one I thought. Well. Clearly, he had to have a bowl of cherries don't you agree? While I painted this, I reflected on our conversation and the pain of loss. And a song came on "You are not alone in this." the chorus said. And I wept. Jeff, I pray that this little painting will remind you to do what you said you wanted to do in their memory. There are smudges on the bowl, there is a bump in the linen...reminders that life is not easy. And there is light from above. Thank you for sharing your story with me. It's a good reminder for us all.

(*name changed to protect client privacy)