girls with wings

Angels? maybe. I found an old Bible
with no cover and some serious stains.
I like it. Some of the pages became wings.

back home

We were able to make the tight connections and arrived in LosAngeles an hour and a half before Cheyenne's "Homegoing" celebration. It was beautiful. Traditional in many ways and extraordinary in so many others. The services were held at the only Black Lutheran church I've ever heard of (I'm thinking Garrison Keillor needs to know about this place). It's a church full of wonderful people who had supported the family throughout Cheyenne's illness. The youth choir sang and were beautiful. They even called for help on one song...invited adult choir members to join them...so Marvin and I did, along with about 25 others. It felt so good to sing in a choir again. "How Excellent" was the perfect choice and we belted our tenor part with all the fervor in us. The church was packed and well-wishers were standing outside. Family wore purple, Cheyenne's favorite color. Rev. Lobdell gave a truthful and powerful eulogy. He told about Cheyenne's demand that her Daddy, and all those around her, "pray out loud" so she could hear their prayers.  The procession to the cemetery was over 100 cars. Friends and family held a lovely service at the grave site and stayed until the casket was lowered into the ground, the hole filled and sod covered. Then a repast at the Jamaican club where Charlie and his musician friends perform. There was food and music and dancing and talking and a celebration of the life of Cheyenne. All through the day Cheyenne's powerful directing personality was present. "Cheyenne would have wanted it this way" was declared repeatedly. Now Tenika, Charlie, Altha, Ben, Chelsea, Caemora, Chad and the rest of the family, settle in to life without Cheyenne. We know her pain is gone and she is safe in the arms of Jesus. Tears will still be shed.

We will miss our sweet Cheyenne

We couldn't love you more.

taco soup

Art for Easter

Friendswood Community
Church is once again
staging their experience
of Good Friday.

The themes are suffering
and renewal. I'm doing a
piece for each. They do a
wonderful job of featuring
the work of artists.

Everyone is invited.


My apologies for the
quality of the photos...
I will have them scanned
after the "show".

spring

to my friends in Tennessee...
I miss the redbuds and dogwoods.

Monique

I was lucky enough to connect with a beautiful young woman a few months ago. She was just a toddler when I first met her and we became friends as she grew up. We loved to paint and draw together. I left her in Seattle when she was still a little girl. She's a beautiful woman now. This is a painting I did of her when she was about five. What a beauty she is...inside and out. Thanks for sending me a photo Monique...and thanks for keeping that painting.