A Mother's Love, An Experience in Provence

Roses grow and always know

Of the joy love brings

Springing forth

Eternally.

The next day she returned and found me painting a tree-lined road that Van Gogh had painted in the past. She had books on her work and original paintings that she shared with me. She was accompanied by an older down-syndrome child who she introduced to me as her daughter. I was not sure whether she was adopted or her own child. She was quite excited and enthused about sharing her work with me. After a few animated minutes, the child, feeling left out of the main stream of excitement, moved closer to her mother and put her head on her mother's shoulder, as in the painting. The lovely lady in red violet stopped talking to me and moved her own head closer to the child. The world stopped for a few minutes and you could feel the flow of a mother's love being bestowed silently to her child. They were back lit and it created a spiritual aura of light around them. I felt a sense of communion with them, a spiritual menage a trois. It was an incredibly moving experience that had an indelible effect on me. I hope that the memory will remain fresh in my mind when ever Jonathan or one of my other sons call for attention. The spirit of love I felt that sun-filled morning in Provence inspired a beautiful painting. That night, when I returned to my hotel room after dining, I reflected on the morning's experience and created " All Mothers are Madonnas." The circles are symbolic of love. The eights are positive numbers. The triangle represents strength and stability. My Provence Madonna used quite a bit of red violet in her attire and her art work. The red circle of the mother represents love, the green circle of the child is hope. The mother's face is a deeper, more radiant yellow, while the child's face is pale. I brought the painting out in the field while painting, with the intent of giving it to the lovely lady in red violet. Our path never crossed again, as I left the following day on my painting quest to capture the light in other areas of the South of France. The painting of light, love and life that captured the inner beauty of Provence is one of my most treasured paintings. I hope I shall never forgot the Lesson the lady in red violet taught me.

Reflections on the Provence Experience

Let us understand that the answer to our inner needs will be realized if we reach out to each other with a sincere exchange of the spirit of love, conciliation and good will. This step is a step in direction of joy. May you take the first step with your family, in the intimacy ,warmth and security of your home. Invite them to share with you their hopes and dreams and concern for the future. Reminisce together on both the trials and happiness shared. Focus on the strength you have as individuals when you stand together as a family. Make mutual support and love for each other an unspoken pledge, an unbroken legacy. Communicate your love to your family here and far. Realize your family members are also your friends and should be treated at least as well as you treat your friends.

May your next step reach out in the directions of friends and acquaintances. Reach out to friends from the past and in the present. Let them know you care and they are not forgotten. So often, without intent, the busyness of daily life finds distant friends further out of your personal orbit, at a loss to each of you. Touch bases with them and plan to get together if you can in the coming year. Good friends are hard to come by and are more then worth the effort to maintain and revitalize the relationships. Challenge yourself to take the step to seek out those who once were close to you in days of yore .Take one step back into the past and you will take two steps forward toward joy in the future.

Someday you will be aware of a situation that call for you to reach out to others. The step you take in behalf of mankind's needs will add to your completeness. One step will lead to another in the direction of joy. Time will find you striding in areas you never dreamed of with the energy of youth and the wisdom of age and experience. Follow the steps of Christ. Walk unafraid in the light of God and joy will be yours forever.