Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Tip-toe... Thru the Tulips... With "Me"!







"Flowers leave some of their fragrance in the hand that bestows them."


-Chinese Proverb


These grand Spring tulips came from the garden of a dear and now departed friend and neighbour, Marian Drennan. Marian passed away last summer after a full and fruitful life spanning 94 years. Her 95th birthday would have been celebrated on May 1st.


Marian was a retired teacher... a Mother... Grandmother ... loyal and faithful Presbyterian.. a mentor surrogate Mother and wonderful friend for "Me"! I miss "Her" greatly - her puckish wit... girlish giggle and her never flagging optimism and Faith. The world is a better place ... simply because "She" was present... and touched the lives of so many of her family, friends, students and her community.


Marian rests eternally beside her husband Alvin... in the Presbyterian Cemetery just up and around the corner on Mill Street West... part way around one of my evening and morning walks. We still "visit" ... regularly... and yes... I "borrowed" a bouquet of her beloved tulips to be with "Her."


While she was living in the Sara Vista Nursing Home in nearby Elmvale, Marian befriended the lady volunteer who came in weekly to freshen up the ladies... "dos." Marian had a great affection for the woman who religiously "showed up".... gratis for her and others. Marian mentioned that the lady remarked that she was sorry that the only space available was an empty janitor's closet... a "room"... with no view.


I remedied that situation with the "view" from a window that I had painted out of my head. I felt that it belonged there... because it had Dutch tulips and girls... doing what girls love to do... skipping "Double Dutch." Marian loved the gift... as did all of the ladies... and their generous stylist.


Isn't that the spirit expressed in the opening line of this post?


"What goes around... comes around!"


"Pass it forward!"


All these good things!


Happy Birthday Dear Marian!!!


Happy Spring... and Good Painting to ALL!!!

14 comments:

  1. Hi Bruce, how wonderful to be able to use art to bring joy to people's lives in that way. At the same time, you show with the Tulips, how art can be a deeply personal thing.

    All the best,
    Keith

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  2. Hi Keith!... It is indeed wonderful... "to use art to bring joy to people's lives!"

    Your art does exactly the same thing Keith... every single time that I visit your site and take in your wonderful watercolour vistas and sujects that define your Scottish heritage and landscape... thru' your eyes!

    Good art... must ALWAYS be personal Keith. It must come from the heart and exude passion and joy!

    Thanks for visiting... and for your very encouraging words Keith! They mean a lot to "Me." Thank You!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  3. Hi Bruce,

    Your painting of the girls brings back fond memories. How wonderful the friendship you shared with Marian and the very special painting you gave her that made her so happy. Those memories are the ones you hold on to. Beautiful work Bruce.

    Best to you,

    Sue

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  4. Bruce, it's a beautiful painting. I agree with cousin Sue about friendship and sharing. It would be a better world if people were more like you and cherished friendship by sharing.

    All the best to you.
    Joan

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  5. I just love that you have such a big heart, Bruce. It comes as no surprise and Marian was just as blessed to have you as you were to have her. The tulips are beautiful but I think I love the piece below it even more. So much love and thought in that one...

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  6. Hi there Sue!... Good to hear from you again!

    Marian... always a lady... but embracing her "child" with joy and optimism."She" was one of those very special individuals one rarely meets on their journey... but whom you love... from the first moment you meet!!!

    "She" was a "giver"... never asking for anything else in return. "She" was wise... fair and loyal. All of us who had the honour of being in her presence are better for it.

    What "She" carried with her and practised daily is something that each one of us can carry as well. All that is necessary... is to begin practising it. Strange how easy it becomes... to feel the power of simple kindness... and a smile!

    Too bad that there is so much pressure and focus on... "growing up!" Children ... from my experience... are usually better company than most adults. They enjoy play and interaction... and most importantly... place a high value on... Friendship!

    Thank "You" for visiting...My Friend! Always a pleasure to share thoughts and time!

    Good sketching!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  7. Hi there Joan!.... Great hearing from "You!"

    Your sentiments echo Sue and Sherry's! There ARE people like me "who cherish freiendship and sharing!!! "You" are one of these people... as are the others.

    Blogging makes connecting... sharing and Friendship so quick and easy. Connection and sharing... just by way of punching some characters on a keyboard... How easy is that?

    Just about as easy as a ... Smile!

    Good Painting!... and Keep Smilin'
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  8. Hi there Sherry!.... I'm glad that you enjoyed the two pieces!

    Tulips remind "Me" of Marian... but they are also harbingers of Spring... and Hope!

    In Ottawa... we have an annual Tulip Festival on Parliament Hill that is nothing short of stunning.

    All of the tulip bulbs are provided annually by the Dutch Government and people... as a gesture of gratitude to Canadians... for granting safe exile to Queen Julianna during WW II... and for Canada's major role in the liberation of Holland.

    All of the graves of the Canadian war dead buried in Holland are tended by Dutch School children... and are so beautifully kept!

    The price of such friendship and caring is worth paying... for coming along with it is Respect... not by others alone... but respect for one's Self!

    What goes around... comes around!

    Thank you for dropping by my Friend!

    Good painting... Writing!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  9. Bruce, what an incredibly lovely and heartwarming post! Your celebration of your friend has me bathed in gooseflesh! How lovely, how completely beautiful your paintings and words are. And I'm certain that Marian hears and sees it all! Bravo!

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  10. What a beautiful story, Bruce! Marian is definitely smiling down and admiring these beautifully painted tulips that you painted.

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  11. Thank "You" Suzanne... for your very gracious and uplifting remarks regarding this post and the paintings!

    Coming from you means a great deal to "Me"... because of the quality of your own magnificent... thought-provoking work and the sentiments that we share!

    In my recognizing Marian... I hope that my post encourages all of my blogging friends to acknowledge and celebrate those individuals in their own lives... who make their own lives brighter.

    Look for my next post Suzanne. The painting that i have just completed... was motivated by the exceptional "photo lady" that I so admired on your last post. It sent me back into my own "idea bank"... and I too... came up with what I think... is "a good one!" Thank "You" Suzanne!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  12. Thank "You" Hilda for taking the time to drop by and to leave such encouragement!

    I know that Marian is indeed looking down... and watching over "Me" still. I feel her presence... at least once each and every day!
    The "Power of One"... is immense!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  13. Ahh...beautiful spring has sprung in your world. Thank-you for sharing the beauty with us, Bruce!

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  14. Hi Linny!... Spring has sprung...slowly everwhere... I guess Linny!

    My bro' Don lives in Victoria... and has been very discouraged with your Spring... too slow to arrive and damp and cold!

    Always happy to share ideas and "views" Linny! Thank "You" for sharing yours... for visiting and for the encouragement!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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