You can’t give me what I want for Mothers Day

Roses. Breakfast in bed. sleep in.  a spa day. hand made gifts from the kids. jewellery. dinner out – or a day “off”.

Just some of the expectations mom’s have for Mother’s Day._DSC0539

But these are not mine.  I suspect that they are not my mother’s either.


IMG_3256

 

 

You can’t give me what I want for Mother’s Day because I don’t even know what I want.  I spend most of my days figuring out what others want – my needs become unimportant at least in the daily grind they are forgotten.  My mind is too busy to even remember what I would have wanted in the first place.  Once a year we are socially permitted to ask for a day or relaxation or ask for something that we want.  But what is that exactly?

We know the greatest gifts are not ones that can be bought…they are the random hugs and kisses from kids on days that don’t start with Christmas, mother or birth…It’s the child who grows into the perfect version of who they already are.

100_3318.jpg

You can’t give me what I want for Mother’s Day because it’s impossible.  You can’t bottle up my kids laughter in the sun nor catch their sweet tears.  You can’t freeze them in time – or capture the excitement in their eyes.  You can’t experience their innocence or package their dreams.  I can’t even bottle up the smallest piece of what they have taught me.  Memories, they say, last forever, but what I fear most is that some are fading away.

100_4253

100_4442

 

 

 

 

 

You can’t give me want I want for Mother’s Day because I am the only person who can give me what I want.

patience. acceptance. love. stillness. wisdom.

This list is for me- something I need to give myself – no one else can obtain it for me.  I need to be patient with myself.  Accept who God made me to be – and love that person.  Be still and seek wisdom – daily.

No one else can give those to me.

I will consider however, a trip to Hawaii…with a few books to read and canvases to paint;)  That would come to close to a thank-you.

“Happy” Mother’s Day.

 

 

 

“I may write”

Teachable Spirit is a blog about art and its humble process – usually in the form of art that I have created or talks that I have given – but this blog is from a special place in my heart – the place that is held only for a sibling.

This one is neither about art that I created nor words that I have shared. It’s about the celebration of an artist that some people met for the first time last week.

My eagle warrior and friend.

He displays so perfectly what a humble man looks like.

When asked if he was an artist he said he wasn’t but when corrected he said, “I may write”.

Ha! He writes. He “pours out his heart on paper”!

My brother Derrick Bauman along with the ROAM Gallery in Vancouver, BC celebrated the grand opening of “Painting and Prose” show this past week.

13095953_1736306919940154_2828075860832810664_n

 

I wish I could have been there.

35 artists were brought together – 35 souls who like to create art.

A connector of people – Derrick has always been.

13102824_1736302783273901_3807195412064892602_n

I stand amazed at the talent people have – but should I?

We are, after all, created in God’s image – we are image bearers of the Creator of this Universe.

Made to create.

We are capable of many amazing things. We just need to believe we can.

 

What will I choose to create this week?

What will you?

Derrick is one who unites and celebrates uniqueness. A quiet and humble leader who soars effortlessly through the sky like an eagle.  If all men were only half the man you are…

A perfect display of what a humble heart looks like.

13139082_1736306343273545_882341593611693229_n

“No wonder you have so many fans”

Denise and I get to call him brother.

DSC_0089

Thank you for being brave enough to share your heart through poetry.  

http://www.derrickbauman.com/

I can’t wait to hang your art in my home.  I may go broke – I want them all!

Blessed beyond blessed.

You have taught me so much.

 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:3

 JH

*quotes from his friends on facebook