Messages from Dad

Too often after someone we love dies, we think that we will never be able to communicate with them again...yes, we cannot hug them, but we can hug those who are still here that remind of of them...and messages come from them in other ways if we are open to receive them...I think of my dad a lot. Mostly when I see rainbows. Today he spoke to me in many ways...

I stayed home from work today...just felt like having some quiet time. My mom and Aunt Gloria were going to go to lunch together, so I knew it was good that they would have each other today...to laugh, to cry, to talk, to share memories...me? I just wanted some solitude. Prayer time. Time to remember what a wonderful father I had...

OK, first message of the day...One of the cool things that my dad and I shared was our love for ice cream!! Some nights after my mom went to bed, daddy and I would sneak a second bowl each while watching Johnny Carson. Just by coincidence today, Ben and Jerry's is giving away free ice cream cones...no kidding: FREE! How's that for a world-wide celebration of a great memory?

Second message: My youngest son stopped by to give me a hug. Rock was born on my dad's last birthday. Because of that I always feel my dad's energy through him. Mia was with him today, and she hugged me so tightly...I asked her, "did your daddy tell you that Mimi might need a big hug like that today?" She said, "No, I just love you that much!" That my dear father, is how much I loved you...still love you. Watching the two of them when they left, walking hand in hand together out to the car made me smile with big tears in my eyes, and a fullness in my heart that was somewhere between hurting and bliss...

Message number three...I go to the mailbox after Rocky leaves...there are no bills in my mailbox today...that in itself is very unusual. Instead, there are 3 items in the mailbox: my Real Simple magazine [Ah, I love that magazine]...my Daily Word magazine [today's word is Grace]...and a free gift from Blick Art Materials with a note that says, 'thank you for ordering your free gift'..well, let me say, I did NOT order a free gift. My dad was an artist...a cartoonist, and I choose to believe that somehow he got those paints and art board samples [cartoonists draw on art board] to me today--somehow, someway...

Then, when walking up to my front door, I noticed something move in the arbor above me...it was two doves that did not get startled away, but rather sat perched looking down at me and waited sweetly while I ran inside to get my phone to take a picture, lest anyone not believe...Birds have always had strong symbolism of the spirit world for me...Think of the Holy Spirit. The fact that they were doves was another message indeed...

Later, two fellows show up to wax the red pick up truck. Chip did not tell me they would be here...They work for the man that normally takes care of our vehicles. Nate was busy on another job and couldn't be here. Normally, I would not be home either...I asked them their names...Michael & Anthony. That was my dad's given name: Michael Anthony...message number 5 and the day is not over yet!!

Thank you God for my ability to continue to feel my father's presence in each day...now, I think I'll go paint.

Look for the rainbows!

The Naples Art Blogger

Incognito

This is a photo of the venue. There was a nice crowd. The 300 pictures were hung around the room. It was such an enjoyable evening-I cannot wait to participate again next year! Who knows? Maybe even as one of the artists!

This is Gina Fischer, well known local muralist, [me in the middle], and Natalie Guess, Naples most popular batik artist. I have known both of these two wonderful ladies for over 25 years, and have truly loved watching their talents evolve. They are amazing artists, but even more than that, they are incredible people! They both participated in this event!

It was a wonderful evening, enjoyed by one and all. I am very hopeful that it will become an annual event at The Jay & Patty Baker Naples Museum of Art! These are the 2 original works of art that I ended up with! The bottom piece, an abstract by Helen Schulman, with influences of the Hudson River School of Art--I just love her command of the light in the center of her painting--it drew me right into it, like a door to heaven.

The top painting, by Joel Babb, an artist from Maine, was my first selection. I was thrilled when my name was called so early in the drawing so that I was able to obtain this lovely picture...Next to my dearest friends and loving family, it represents my 3 passions: real estate, boating and art!

[both pictures can be viewed larger by clicking right on the photo. They measure 8" X 10"]

Thank you, and Make it a great day!

The Naples Art Blogger

Incognito

Incognito, Naples-style!

Is this ever going to be fun! At 4:30 today I will be arriving at The Naples Museum of Art along with 299 other lucky art lovers! The wonderful event, being sponsored by The Friends of the Art at The Jay and Patty Baker Museum of Art, with proceeds benefiting the museum and all the amazing exhibitions and lectures it brings to the citizens of Naples and our visitors & tourists. Included in the fund raising is monies raised to transport Collier County school children to the museum to enhance their education of the arts! We are incredibly blessed to have a venue of this caliber here in Naples Florida!

300 local, national and internationally known artists have participated by painting and donating an original 8" X 10" work of art. Everyone in attendance goes home with an original work of art, which is distributed by raffle drawing! As the tickets are drawn, the ticket-holders will select the painting of their choice! The paintings are signed on the back, so no one will know who their artist is until after they have made a selection! Later in the evening, after all the paintings have been selected, the artists will then be invited into the romm to meet the patron that selected their work! It will be so cool to meet the person whose art I am drawn...

I am thrilled to be attending! ~and, I hope to see you there!

The Naples Art Blogger