My aunt Babs was the last of her generation in our family when she died in Florida last year at 92.
Babs and my mother’s kid brother Paul met in the Rockaways and were childhood sweethearts who went on to have a long and a very happy marriage. (See Aunt Babs and Uncle Paul, May 3, 2015)
My mother was an artist and when Babs and Paul got married she painted a Rockaway beach scene for them. On the back of the canvas she wrote, “Where it all began!”
My cousins Deb and Robin remember that painting hanging in their parents’ home in New York, and then in Florida when Babs and Paul retired there years later.
When we gathered for the funeral, I was moved to see that Rockaway beach painting in Babs’ house. And then I saw another of my mother’s paintings on the wall – one that I hadn’t seen in years.
It was a still life of a small ceramic planter in the form of a donkey and cart carrying a tall snake plant. The little donkey planter that my mother used as her model stood on a bookshelf in our living room when I was a kid, and when I unexpectedly saw it’s painted image hanging there on the wall my heart stopped.
Deb and Robin decided to keep the Florida house and spend more time there. But Robin lives in California and can’t visit very often, and so for sentiment’s sake she decided to take the Rockaway beach scene home with her. Then my cousins pressed me to take the donkey still life.
But the two paintings were each too big and bulky to take on a plane, and so Robin and I brought them to the local FedEx office. We explained we wanted one painting shipped to California and the other to New York.
“Considering size and distance, each will be rather costly.”, the FedEx agent explained.
We both agreed that was fine.
“Do you want each one insured?”, he asked.
We both said we did.
“What is the value of each painting?”, he asked.
My cousin and I looked at each other and smiled. “Priceless.”, we both said.
Dana Susan Lehrman
What a beautiful story!! Your mother was a very talented artist.
Thanx Sharon, altho she also painted still lifes and landscapes, she was a marvelous portrait painter and in her youth studied at the Art Students League with two well-known portraitist brothers Moses and Raphael Soyer.
What’s priceless is that you value the memories from your personal histories. So comforting to know, but I am not sure my children will feel the same fondness some day. I guess I will never know.
Thanx Bonnie, of course I did have to toss much of my parents’ stuff that hadn’t such a strong sentimental pull … but not the artwork!
There’s Still Life in wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing.
Thank YOU Larry!
Time for another JAVHS reunion?
Priceless indeed! I wanted more.
Thanx Gerry!
A lovely reminiscence. So glad you got the still life, I must see it next time I’m at your apartment.
Wow, your mother studied with the Soyers!!!
Thanx Gail-Renee, will be delighted to show you the donkey painting and others of my mom’s! ❤️
Loved it! Glad you’re back!
Thanx Polly!
Hoping to see you on MyRetrospect!
Beautiful story.
Thanx Vivian! Are you writing from Down Under?
Lovely story.
Thanx sweet Alice!
A very nice story.
Thanx Artie, glad you hung on during my hiatus!
Beautiful, and glad to see this.
Thanx Ellen, seems I had writers block for awhile, hope my muse will hang around now!
Heartwarming true story. At the end, my breath held and my throat emitted a tiny sound.
Thanx Joanie for sharing the emotions!
Another lovely life story! Thank you, Dana!
Thanx Naomi, would love to FedEx myself to Palo Alto!
❤️ to all!
Lovely story and lovely painting!
Thanx Kathie!
There is something so touching about that little donkey! A sadness in the curling leaves of the plant, the closed blinds, and the donkey faithful to his task as years go on.
Yes, your mom was a good painter.
Thanx Judy, looking at that little donkey I think you’re right! ❤️
So beautifully rendered, using words like your Mom used oils. The painting is no longer a “still life”, but dynamic in the collective memories of your loved ones.
Thanx Sara, you’ve expressed that so beautifully!
Beautiful story and beautiful painting! It’s truly special to treasure an object with meaningful links to lost loved ones. I have my grandmother’s dishes and love using them every day. Thank you for bringing this lovely moment into my day!
Thanx Christine, I have only a few pieces of my grandmother’s dishes that I treasure, sadly not a whole set, lucky you.
But must confess I didn’t like my mother’s silverware pattern and when I inherited it, I sold it and bought a pattern I liked better!
But her artwork – that’s different! ❤️
As my elder son turned 50 your beautiful story led me to take from the drawer the shiny gold watch my growing-up family gave to my father when he turned 50.
Priceless? The cycle of life.
Thanx Mike!
So glad you’re among my loyal readers!
Are you working on your next book?!?
A small corner detail says so much and has such heart.
Thanx Marcia for your artist’s eye!
Lovely reminiscence and tribute to your mom’s artistic bent and the importance of souvenirs and momentos from the past. The mention of the Rockaways was evocative of us borough urchins eating fries on the boardwalk far, far away (it seemed) from NYC sidewalks. Loved this story!
Thanx Lynn!
Not everyone knows the Rockaways, and especially the Rockaways of yesteryear, I’m glad to see you do!