To start a new year, I bring you my Christmas gift to my family. The artist is Chris Haberman. We each filled out a commission questionnaire and submitted a photo.
The genesis of this idea can be laid at the door of my dear Grandma Rosie. My paternal grandparents had caricatures painted of them and all five children in 1960. I grew up seeing those photos in the hallway and as time went on, they grew more and more meaningful. I felt as if I had some sort of access to my father’s life before I was even a twinkle in his eye. I thought about how the moments of “us” are so fleeting, impossible to capture and hold. I felt this was a way to capture the “us” of my family we were in 2011. 2011? That was so last week!
Time will inevitably march on. My daughter will no longer wear that Girl Scout Vest, my son may stop smiling the big happy smile. Walter the Wonder Dog will get old and leave us some day. I will have the pictures to remind me of when we were all under one roof, happy, and healthy.
Here’s a bit of background on the artist:
I was just looking at my Google feed and wondering if I should remove your blog, since you hadn’t posted since 2010, and there you are. Welcome back! Does this mean you are going to start blogging again?
Thanks for not giving me the heave-ho, Marie
I was missing the blog, and was also thinking of my mom, who enjoyed the blog and resolutely refuses to join FB. I hope to get into a routine – we shall see…
That is a very cool Christmas gift! What a great idea.