Thursday, May 14, 2015

Late Mother's Day Tribute



This is a painting I painted in honor of my Mother.  This is a self portrait of me (much younger self) and the Rabbit represents my Mother.  She had a special love for Rabbits.  The branches represent passing and the Moon represents that everything will be alright. I will never let you go. I will never forget all that you gave to me.  You gave me the Moon. Happy Mothers Day everyday, my love! I miss you!

Mother's day was last week.  I spent  a foggy weekend on the shore with the women of my family and the women in my life that I love the most. It was calm and relaxing.  Just a few rumbles, which are expected with so many women that know everything about each other, all your weaknesses all your strengths.   Enjoying Food , watching Lacrosse Tournaments, Napping, Reading, Swimming, Talking and not talking. The best is when you are with someone and you don't feel like you have to talk.  Don't get me wrong anyone who knows my family know we are a family of talkers.  We like to discuss the hell out of everything. That is how we were brought up. We sat at the table during and after dinner and discussed things.  I carried it onto my daughter and she has carried it on to her children.  It is so important that families do this.  Married with children, Single with children, Gay with children. Any household that has children should sit at the table as much as they can and eat a meal and talk to each other.  Even through the moody teenage years. 

So I know I am a little late but I want to thank My Mother for everything she has done for me. Every time she made me sit down at the table and talk. She created a family that has stayed together . We are not perfect.  We have our squabbles but we forgive and love each other.  Always.


Everyday I see the beauty that she gave us. In so many ways.  She was so kind and giving.  We were her world. And she loved us all.  She was with us in spirit.  And we all missed her.  We were the same 5 girls who laid at her death bed and ate chocolate and had a pajama party in her room because we did not want her to be alone when she left this earth.  We miss her and she will always be in our hearts. I honor my Mother.


Nancy Jane Lippincott


 My Mother's favorite poem.
She had a plaque with this written on it so she could read it everyday.
It was spoken at her memorial service. 

If




If you can keep your head when all about you   

    Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,   

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

    But make allowance for their doubting too;   

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

    Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

    And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:



If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;   

    If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;   

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

    And treat those two impostors just the same;   

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

    Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

    And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:



If you can make one heap of all your winnings

    And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

    And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

    To serve your turn long after they are gone,   

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

    Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’



If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,   

    Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

    If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

    With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,   

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,   
    And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son


 She lived by this. 
(Except we should change it to daughter)



And I will leave you with this song that I play when ever I want to think of her.



20 comments :

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful work, happy PPF, Valerie

Christine said...

what a beautiful self portrait and a lovely tribute!

froebelsternchen said...

What a beautiful post and artwork Heather!
Happy PPF!
oxo
Susi

Nordljus said...

Such a beautiful tribute, love your self portrait.

Clare Lloyd said...

Beautiful painting and fab post. Happy PPF

PaintingWrite said...

what a beautiful post and tribute to your mum, Heather. I love the symbolism of the different elements of your portrait - gorgeous.

Laila said...

A lovely tribute to your mom and so well expressed in your painting.

Giggles said...

Stunning painting and amazing tribute... I feel I know the heart of your mother...she lived and loved well...The poem she chose to live by is chocked with wisdom only a sage woman could enjoy! I agree about the eating together...it is the heart of family life. I still wait daily, even it's past the dinner hour for my adult children to arrive home so we can eat together so we can all chat! They love that I do! Terrific post, thanks for sharing!

Hugs Giggles

Sue Marrazzo Fine Art said...

So SWEET! Thanks for sharing...

My name is Erika. said...

You did a great job with your self portrait and honoring Mom.

Jeanet said...

Such a gorgeous and meaningful painting. Thanks for sharing

Susan said...

What a beautiful, thoughtful post! Your portrait is lovely.

Anonymous said...

such a beautiful portrait,,, your tribute brought tears to my eyes, I read it twice,,

Studio Kaufmann said...

Very powerful work of art Heather and a marvelous tribute to your mother. The rabbit is so cute too. Happy PPF

GlorV1 said...

What a wonderful post and your artwork, fab as always. Nice to see you. Great tribute to your Mother. :)

Robin said...

Hi Heather. What a beautiful tribute to your mother. Your self portrait is very lovely too! Hugs, Rasz #62 (not 63)

Jo said...

It wasn't enough that I was tearful with your self portrait, but I was really tearful when I listened to that song. Wonderful tribute to your Mom.

Tracey FK said...

that is a lovely tribute to your mother... great painting and heartfelt post...xx

Karen Smithey said...

What a wonderful post! I love the idea of the five of you with her at the end...

JKW said...

I love the pic of you and the Bunny. It does look like you. This is a beautiful tribute to your mom. I enjoyed being a part of it in the reading of it. Blessings, Janet PPF