Suffering? No, thank you. I'd seriously rather pass. It's high on my "druther" list. I'd druther not go down that path. Please lead me in another direction - probably any other one would do. I'm just not that into it.
But, we don't always (ever?) have that choice. Do we?
I've had foot problems for about six months. I'm the first to admit that other people have suffered a lot longer than that. Again, that's something I'd like to pass on. Fortunately for me, the swelling is down. I'm mobile once again. But, life isn't exactly back to normal yet. However, throughout this entire ordeal, and I consider five weeks in bed unable to walk an ordeal, I've had several events in my life that a number of people have described as "a God thing".
I have to agree.
I have a few friends who tell me they are agnostics or atheists. I just don't understand how that is possible. Okay, maybe not everyone has a guardian angel like mine who has protected me from so many disasters in so many corners of the world. My angel has done a miraculous job, but I think that's what they are supposed to do. But, if everyone has a guardian angel (and I certainly hope they do) then perhaps my friends aren't examining their own lives for their own God things.
Here's the current list going on in my life.
Perfect Timing I have a few neighbors that I really enjoy. However, life is always busy. We don't actually get together nearly as often as I like. In fact, I might not see them or hear from them for weeks or months at a time. And, I agree that is too busy. However, when I found myself unable to walk back in August, both of my neighbors contacted me within twenty-four hours. Neither of them had any idea that I was in need. They had not been in communication with each other. They each decided it was time to check on me. That can only be a God thing.
Saint Peter to the Rescue You may have the impression that since my cartoons are all over the Internet that I am one famous and wealthy cartoonist. You would be wrong. Yes, my cartoons are used around the world, but most people seem to recognize my art but not my name. And, they certainly aren't inclined to want to pay me for my work. I put the starving into artist. And, I know the truth. I am the most non-famous world-famous artist you'll ever find.
On occasion, and it doesn't happen nearly often enough, someone contacts me about commissioned art work. During this time when I was trapped at home and could barely walk, I was unable to go out and color the world with my murals. And if I am not painting murals, I am not earning a living. It was during this time that I was contacted by Kingsgate Church in the United Kingdom.
It's a huge church with their very own art department that creates their own Sunday School materials. I can't even imagine a church with their own art department. And, they must be busy, because my connection at Kingsgate asked if I could do a project that they were too busy to complete. It was a huge project all about Saint Peter that required my art as well as my making some children's craft projects and photographing them.
The task had a short amount of time to get everything completed. But, I wasn't going anywhere. I whipped out the work as fast as I possibly could, delighted the people at Kingsgate, and was thankfully able to pay my bills. Yep, it had to be a God thing.
But, we don't always (ever?) have that choice. Do we?
I've had foot problems for about six months. I'm the first to admit that other people have suffered a lot longer than that. Again, that's something I'd like to pass on. Fortunately for me, the swelling is down. I'm mobile once again. But, life isn't exactly back to normal yet. However, throughout this entire ordeal, and I consider five weeks in bed unable to walk an ordeal, I've had several events in my life that a number of people have described as "a God thing".
I have to agree.
I have a few friends who tell me they are agnostics or atheists. I just don't understand how that is possible. Okay, maybe not everyone has a guardian angel like mine who has protected me from so many disasters in so many corners of the world. My angel has done a miraculous job, but I think that's what they are supposed to do. But, if everyone has a guardian angel (and I certainly hope they do) then perhaps my friends aren't examining their own lives for their own God things.
Here's the current list going on in my life.
Perfect Timing I have a few neighbors that I really enjoy. However, life is always busy. We don't actually get together nearly as often as I like. In fact, I might not see them or hear from them for weeks or months at a time. And, I agree that is too busy. However, when I found myself unable to walk back in August, both of my neighbors contacted me within twenty-four hours. Neither of them had any idea that I was in need. They had not been in communication with each other. They each decided it was time to check on me. That can only be a God thing.
Saint Peter to the Rescue You may have the impression that since my cartoons are all over the Internet that I am one famous and wealthy cartoonist. You would be wrong. Yes, my cartoons are used around the world, but most people seem to recognize my art but not my name. And, they certainly aren't inclined to want to pay me for my work. I put the starving into artist. And, I know the truth. I am the most non-famous world-famous artist you'll ever find.
On occasion, and it doesn't happen nearly often enough, someone contacts me about commissioned art work. During this time when I was trapped at home and could barely walk, I was unable to go out and color the world with my murals. And if I am not painting murals, I am not earning a living. It was during this time that I was contacted by Kingsgate Church in the United Kingdom.
It's a huge church with their very own art department that creates their own Sunday School materials. I can't even imagine a church with their own art department. And, they must be busy, because my connection at Kingsgate asked if I could do a project that they were too busy to complete. It was a huge project all about Saint Peter that required my art as well as my making some children's craft projects and photographing them.
The task had a short amount of time to get everything completed. But, I wasn't going anywhere. I whipped out the work as fast as I possibly could, delighted the people at Kingsgate, and was thankfully able to pay my bills. Yep, it had to be a God thing.
Walnut Elementary Over the summer, I painted nine mini-murals at a very rural elementary school in the Columbus area. It's smack in the middle of Ohio farm country and the drive getting there is simply beautiful. The principal wanted ten murals. It was my first time to ever decorate a school. I wasn't able to complete the last mini-mural because the fifth grade teachers had not given me an idea for their mural design. I figured as soon as school started, the fifth grade children would demand a mural. It didn't happen that way. And, even if they had, I couldn't walk when school started. That mural would have to wait.
Almost three months into the school year, I finally had my design. The fifth grade teachers and principal loved the sketch and the project was a go. I had some help over the summer with my murals, but not as much as usual. I was determined to change all that with the final mural. I wanted fifth grade participants. I'd take as many painters as I could in fifteen-minute sessions.
Not every fifth grader had the chance to paint, but I'm pretty sure they all wanted to. The teachers made the selections. However, when the kids were trapped indoors for recess, Barret asked me if he could paint. I'm always honored when kids want to paint during recess. It means they consider the mural a really special project. I couldn't say yes. He had to get permission from his teacher. But, I have to admit, I hoped he could paint. With his red hair and freckles, as well as a red flannel shirt and cap, he looked like a little farmer. In my mind, it made him the perfect participant for a mural in this very rural location.
As it turned out, four kids had permission to paint during their recess. I'm not sure why, but their fifteen-minute session stretched into about forty-five minutes, maybe even an hour. Nobody came to take their place. No teacher called them back to class. And, I assure you, no visiting artist was going to send them away.
Since I had a longer session, I was able to talk more with this group. That's when I learned a little more about Barret. At the end of the last school year, he was diagnosed with cancer. He spent the summer and most of the school year in the hospital or at home. Finally, miraculously, he was now free of cancer and had only just returned to school the week of this last mural. If I had come to school any earlier, he would have missed out on the mural experience. You can be an agnostic or atheist if you choose to do so, but I'm completely convinced this was a God thing.
Now, when you talk to a ten year old cancer survivor, what kind of questions can you ask? I wasn't going to ask him what kind of cancer he had or anything about his treatment. But, how did one so young have such strength, grace and determination to face cancer and walk away victorious? There has to be a great story and he has to be one awesome kid. But, I didn't have nearly as much time to talk as I would have liked to have had. I said that I knew it was a terrible experience, but I was curious if there was anything he thought that was good about what happened to him. Barret was quick to say that he met a lot of nice people. He also said that he'd gotten a lot closer to his family. I'm thinking that Barret has his own God thing going on.
The Next God Thing I have cleaned up my brushes because I've completed painting all of my murals at Walnut Elementary School. So, I'm ready for a new project. I'm not only ready, I need a new project. It's one of those unfortunate facts of life that bills need to be paid. So, again, let me repeat that I'm ready.
Most of my recent God things have fallen into my lap. I've not gone looking for them. It's been out of my hands. So, there is a good chance that whatever comes my way next could also be something I never imagined. HOWEVER, I have had recent communication with U.S. Embassies in Africa, the Caribbean and Oceania who have expressed interest in community murals. Nobody has confirmed anything. No dates have been set. No artist has been dancing around his computer, celebrating an invitation. But, I'm gonna put it out to the universe so my guardian angel is well aware. Yep, I'm open for this. I'm ready, willing and able for an international God thing.
_____
* In an earlier blog, I posted a photo of my feet when I thought the swelling was down and they looked better. Well, upon a second look, they were still horribly swollen. Things are looking a whole lot better now.
Almost three months into the school year, I finally had my design. The fifth grade teachers and principal loved the sketch and the project was a go. I had some help over the summer with my murals, but not as much as usual. I was determined to change all that with the final mural. I wanted fifth grade participants. I'd take as many painters as I could in fifteen-minute sessions.
Not every fifth grader had the chance to paint, but I'm pretty sure they all wanted to. The teachers made the selections. However, when the kids were trapped indoors for recess, Barret asked me if he could paint. I'm always honored when kids want to paint during recess. It means they consider the mural a really special project. I couldn't say yes. He had to get permission from his teacher. But, I have to admit, I hoped he could paint. With his red hair and freckles, as well as a red flannel shirt and cap, he looked like a little farmer. In my mind, it made him the perfect participant for a mural in this very rural location.
As it turned out, four kids had permission to paint during their recess. I'm not sure why, but their fifteen-minute session stretched into about forty-five minutes, maybe even an hour. Nobody came to take their place. No teacher called them back to class. And, I assure you, no visiting artist was going to send them away.
Since I had a longer session, I was able to talk more with this group. That's when I learned a little more about Barret. At the end of the last school year, he was diagnosed with cancer. He spent the summer and most of the school year in the hospital or at home. Finally, miraculously, he was now free of cancer and had only just returned to school the week of this last mural. If I had come to school any earlier, he would have missed out on the mural experience. You can be an agnostic or atheist if you choose to do so, but I'm completely convinced this was a God thing.
Now, when you talk to a ten year old cancer survivor, what kind of questions can you ask? I wasn't going to ask him what kind of cancer he had or anything about his treatment. But, how did one so young have such strength, grace and determination to face cancer and walk away victorious? There has to be a great story and he has to be one awesome kid. But, I didn't have nearly as much time to talk as I would have liked to have had. I said that I knew it was a terrible experience, but I was curious if there was anything he thought that was good about what happened to him. Barret was quick to say that he met a lot of nice people. He also said that he'd gotten a lot closer to his family. I'm thinking that Barret has his own God thing going on.
The Next God Thing I have cleaned up my brushes because I've completed painting all of my murals at Walnut Elementary School. So, I'm ready for a new project. I'm not only ready, I need a new project. It's one of those unfortunate facts of life that bills need to be paid. So, again, let me repeat that I'm ready.
Most of my recent God things have fallen into my lap. I've not gone looking for them. It's been out of my hands. So, there is a good chance that whatever comes my way next could also be something I never imagined. HOWEVER, I have had recent communication with U.S. Embassies in Africa, the Caribbean and Oceania who have expressed interest in community murals. Nobody has confirmed anything. No dates have been set. No artist has been dancing around his computer, celebrating an invitation. But, I'm gonna put it out to the universe so my guardian angel is well aware. Yep, I'm open for this. I'm ready, willing and able for an international God thing.
_____
* In an earlier blog, I posted a photo of my feet when I thought the swelling was down and they looked better. Well, upon a second look, they were still horribly swollen. Things are looking a whole lot better now.
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