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PAINTING MEMORIES
Lucy Jean Beatty by Mary Beatty
Dear Lucy, What a delight, creating this painting for your Mom and Dad's Christmas! As I painted, my thoughts wandered back to once upon a time - in St. Joseph Hospital where everyone who loves you gathered to greet your entry into our world! All four of your Grandparents as well as all of your Aunts waited together anxiously! And of course, your Daddy was there.
He stayed close to your Mommy and felt every pain! Your Mom looked so pretty propped up in the hospital bed, those thick red curls a damp mass against the white pillow. Her face paled though each time she huffed and puffed and blew to the demands of the birthing miracle! Finally, you made your gurgling, screaming announcement, "Hi, everybody, here I am at last!" Tears streamed down your Daddy's face - tears of wonder and joy... and relief! I loved your Daddy so much at that moment! Lucy, you know, of course, once upon a time your Daddy was my little baby! As I saw his emotions take charge I felt so proud of the man he had become! Thirty six short years ago the nurse placed him in my arms just minutes after he was born. Our very own little miracle after all those years of waiting! First thing I noticed was how sweetly his hair (what little there was) swirled at his temple. He was a perfect little gift from God. And now you, his little angel, is God's gift to him. To all of us!
I loosely painted in your chestnut curls. Your crowning glory! Everyone who sees you is envious of your beautiful hair! And you can wear it in so many different styles. But I love your hair best pulled up at the sides to show your pretty face, a few little wisps loosed here and there, then left free to bounce totally out of control in the back! That's how I will paint you next!
Which reminds me. Once upon a time we were reading a story. Your little hands tried to smooth my messy hair at the sides. "Wear your hair back, Gamma, so I can see your pooety face!"
While I deliberated over the colors for the face area, I re-lived your regular visits. We always had music and accumulated many little children's tunes. I held you and we danced to the beat, sometimes singing along. We giggled with glee as we bobbed and bowed and twirled! Finally, as I was about to collapse, you grew limp as a rag doll. I held you closer, swaying ever so gently to the slower rhythm of a lullaby. Your little head rested on my shoulder, your face snuggled under my chin. Little Lucy-girl soon drifted off to Slumberland. And I couldn't bear to lay you down! We would glide ever so softly to the comfy rocking chair. Sometimes, Grandpa would say, "Here, let me hold her."
We have many photographs of each of us catching ten winks as you napped in our arms! Being grandparents is so fun, but exhausting! Your Mommy continuously played wonderful children's songs for you. Not only Jesus Loves Me, but I've Been Working on the Railroad! Dozens of songs! With hand motions! You learned so easily, it seemed!
During rest times I taught you to sing God Bless America. You caught on to those lyrics after only a couple days of giggling and rocking! Then during your pre-school graduation program, even though you were shy, I was certain you felt more confident than some of the other little children as everyone belted out that patriotic song!
As I added little dots of blues and golds to your eyes in the painting my thoughts returned to the times you would reach up your little arms to me, those bright eyes pleading..."UP, Gamma!" With your right arm locked firmly around my neck we stood at the window looking at the pretty colorful flower garden. You quickly learned that roses are RED, the tiny violets are PURPLE, the grass is GREEN, the sky is BLUE.
Standing right there, we invented a game, remember? When you gave the correct answer to a question you were to give me a great big hug and a kiss on the cheek. Wrong answer, Gamma hugged you! It went like this: Who made the Clouds, Lucy-girl? "GOD!" YES!!... great big hug and kiss... Who loves you, Lucy? "GOD!" YES!! ...slobbery kiss with neck-crushing hug ...Who else? "MOMMY, DADDY, PAPAW, GRANDMA AND GRANDPA DEAN..." YES!! Who loves you the most?! Ummm..."GAMMA!!" - you teased, eyes dancing. WRONG!! Then we giggled with delight as Gramma hugged you until you gagged! Well...almost!
When your Papaw was real sick, we did quiet things like paint together. We bought you a paint shirt and both of us deliberately smudged paint on it to make it look like Gramma's. With each "accidental" smear came an "Uh-oh!" and "OOPS!" as we howled (softly...) with delight!
You wanted to be an artist, too! So we used real artist brushes and real paint and canvas! You were so excited when we mixed RED with BLUE and right before your very eyes, just like magic, they turned into PURPLE! "LOOK, Gamma, my very favorite color!" Your eyes almost sparkled right out of their sockets! And you found it difficult to decide whether you would take your painting home to show your new little baby sister or leave it to decorate Gramma's refrigerator for Papaw to see when he felt more betterest!
Recently, I attended your school Christmas program. An energetic bunch of children, all ages and sizes! But who did Gamma watch? LUCY! I could see your head just above the railing as you sat on the bleachers with your class. Only a couple of you sat nice and still. Others popped up and down like popping corn on a hot stove! Your Mom and Dad were proud of you!
When your group went onstage you stopped where the teacher no doubt had directed you to stand. I held my breath as first one larger girl then a second girl walked up and stood right in front of you! I felt disappointed, then indignant, and mentally pushed them aside! Well, look at that! Suddenly, I beamed as you ever so gracefully side-stepped behind them (you seemed to float like the little ballerina you are learning to be!) to the far end of the line. You had a musical instrument to play! and you knew it was important to be able to see the music director. I felt so proud of you and ashamed of myself for thinking, MOVE, girls, you're blocking my view! (Grandmothers think like that sometimes! ) Lucy, you are so like your Mommy. And your Aunt Laura. You expect the best from yourself but you are sweetly sensitive to the feelings of others. We should all (Grammas too!) be quicker to remember the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!
Finally, and somewhat reluctantly, I considered the painting finished. But I believe I have painted you looking a tiny bit older. You won't mind looking nine! The next two years will fly by quick as a wink, so I have decided not to tamper with it. I placed it carefully and safely out of sight until I could frame it. It is a surprise, don't you know!
So my Little Lucy-girl, in this attempt to paint a memory, just maybe I have painted you twice! First with PAINT, and then with WORDS. I hope you like both!
I'll love you forever, and forever will be.......... Your Gramma!
Merry Christmas! 2004
Original Pastel Portrait by Mary Beatty Background Music: Painting A Memory Original Midi Sequenced by Jim Stark at my request, especially for this page. Thank you, Jim!
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