As I walked in, the poster on the wall captured my mind and transported me to another time and place. Two artists, each an icon in their day. Individually, they were already leaving brushstrokes on artists for generations to come. The two artists were together in a show on Mercer Street. The location is a short walk from a dear friend’s artwork and shows with his dealer and her gallery, Mary Delahoyd. The artists were bright lights, John for me, writing endless chapters in my life that still form an integral part of my story.
I reflected on the poster with hope. I love art’s influence on my life and how each piece speaks to me, especially when it is up close and personal. The whispers that linger into today’s beginning reflect my love for John and our relationship.
Human manifestations of light in our lives are, at best, temporary. I sensed my last conversation with John would be with me for a long time. Fortunately, with my eyes closed, it feels like we spoke yesterday. Like others before me, “Earlier there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced.” (Hebrews 7.23). The best of the past remains wrapped in an invitation to enter the present moment.
The wisdom and lessons Lights gifted to our lives will fade until one continues to use each. When I remember, usually through something in an art piece or in cooking with spices, I am filled with a renewed sense of hope, willingness to experiment, and desire to experience. In the essentials of life and living, I see traces of John’s life on my own. I hope I take the best he shared and learn from everything else.
Lights are an inspiration that invites one to take her and his steps towards a better future. I will choose my path. Each word and action reflects the longings of my heart and soul. I feel the past as I anticipate the future. The words now tell part of the story. It’s time to paint the next.
