Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: TOURIST ATTRACTION(S) (natural or man-made) (08/06/15)
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TITLE: Stop Staring! | Previous Challenge Entry
By Terry R A Eissfeldt
08/13/15 -
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This was never supposed to be public. It was a present from my husband. He wanted to do something special to celebrate the birth of our second child. He wanted to cheer me up. I’d been inconsolable since losing our baby girl. It wasn’t meant to be shared. I wish everyone would stop staring.
He came to our house. We went out to the terrace and talked. He asked me what I wanted. I had no idea! He asked if I trusted him. What was I to say? I didn’t know him, except by reputation. So I told him that I trusted his discretion. That seemed enough. He set up his things and I took my place.
He was very specific as to how I was to sit.
“Place your hands thus,” he said and demonstrated. I copied his example.
“Turn your shoulder.” I turned.
“No, too far!” I turned back.
“Yes! Now look at me.” I looked directly into his eyes.
“Must you wear that veil?” he asked.
“Yes, it’s for my daughter.” Even now, with my new born son in the next room, the tears were at the surface just thinking of her.
“Fine,” he said somewhat impatiently. He wanted to begin.
Day after day he came. Each time a little more impatient. I tried my best to follow his instructions but it seemed he was struggling with something.
Finally one day, after throwing his brushes to the floor, he stomped out. But before I got up from the chair to follow he was back.
“You are too somber! I can’t paint you in sorrow. I won’t! You must think of something nice … or funny … or happy! Surely, you can do that!”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize ….”
“Okay, okay…” he stuttered.
He wasn’t a mean man. He was just very focused. And what we focus on can, at times, consume us. Like grief was consuming me. I loved my new son, however, I hadn’t let my self enjoy him.
“Let’s try again,” he picked the brushes up.
I sighed, closed my eyes, and remembered the day our beautiful daughter was born. The first few hours were full of wonder and gratefulness. God was so good to us. He blessed us with an angel….
“Hold that look! Keep that smile!” he furiously attacked the portrait. My inner eye remained on the face of my baby and eventually, as Señor DiVinci continued his work, it was the face of my new son I thought of.
Mine is an ordinary story. I’m not the first to have lost a child or to climb out of sorrow and embrace the next gift. There are so many other amazing portraits. I wish everyone would stop staring.
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