This is a piece I finished right before going to visit my soldier boy at Ft. Benning, GA this past weekend. The original face was very sad. After receiving some comments from some friends about how sad she looked, I took another look when I got home, and reworked it to be more wistful than sad. I didn’t want to only convey sadness. This piece is about hope also. When God closes a door, He opens a window. I am sad about some of the doors that are closing in my life right now. My oldest is on his own now, making his way in the world, and while I still see the child in him peeking out at times, more and more, it’s a young man that stands before me. One that is excited about starting his life. For this I wanted my art to also be about hope. I am at a time in my life that I need to focus on the open window and not the closing door.

When we drove into the parking lot there were two soldiers pulling guard duty. I thought oh, that young man looks a bit like Christopher. Then I realized it was Christopher! While he couldn’t hug me, he was grinning from

ear to ear! What a nice surprise! We had a great visit, all too short, and though I noticed a lot of changes in my boy, he was still the boy I know and love so much. He is closing the door on childhood, but he’s been in the process for years:-) We always said he was 3 going on 30. Christopher couldn’t wait to grow up! With size 14 shoes and standing 6’3″, I’d say he’s there! This last photo is of him walking back up the hill at the end of our visit.

Get out a tissue, there wasn’t a dry eye among us, I still get teary looking at this one, but I am going to look and to remember that he is flying out the window under his own steam. I will look forward to this stage of my life and all that it holds. May God keep my son and the son’s and daughters of all those serving our country safe.