Wednesday, April 25, 2012

My buddha, my pilgrim, my child

 There hasn't been a lot of work this week in the studio. Wesley called me Monday morning and said she wanted to come home from school for a few days. April 25th is her birthday and she wanted to be here. So we have spent the past couple of days together, eating good food, buying books, watching movies, taking long rides in the country. You know, the things that make life worth living! It's so good to have her home unexpectedly and my work schedule has come to a screeching halt!

For the past few years, we have been giving Wesley art for her birthday. It all started at Shakori when we bought her a painting from Jeff Martin. This year, as I was trying to figure out what to get her, two of the blogs I read, Not Now Kato (Shannon Beuker) and BurntNormal Pottery (Yolande Clark) posted photos of items that reminded me so much of Wesley, I knew they were perfect items for her birthday gifts.

Yolande's figure is quiet and still, it looks so much like Wesley does when she is sitting and writing
or meditating or doing that staring into space thing she does. Thank you, Yolande for speeding it to me from Canada. Another bonus, since Wes was conceived in Canada!

 When Shannon posted this pilgrim watercolor on her blog, it again reminded me of Wesley. She is on her own pilgrimage right now in so many ways, and this figure just spoke to me when I saw it. Shannon is one of my all time favorite artists and I have one of her small paintings that I love, but this one is very special in many ways. Wesley got to spend some time with Shannon on our recent beach trip, which was so great, Shannon is a very wise woman with much to share!

For the past few years, we have celebrated her birthday at Shakori Hills Grass Roots Music Festival. One year on Sunday morning, she came walking across the field after spending the night camping with her friends. It was such a magical morning, we sat and drank a cup of chai together and listened to a Native American man talk about Mother Earth and as we shared this time, thinking about the day she was born, I was so grateful that I had this child that wanted to spend this morning with me on her birthday, instead of with her friends and I am still very blessed that I have a child that likes to spend time with her parents! I just can't believe she is 19 today! Every year has been different and amazing and I learn something with her every day.
Happy Birthday, my sweet girl!!!!

18 comments:

Dennis Allen said...

Happy Birthday Wes! Hey here's a coincidence, it's my wife's birthday too.

Tracey Broome said...

Oh yay, another Taurus! Happy Birthday to your wife too!!!

Laura Farrow said...

Happy birthday to the sweet, talented, and beautiful Wes! xo

Lori Buff said...

A very happy birthday to Wes, enjoy the journey.

yolande clark said...

Oh my. The watercolour is beautiful! The sculpture is pretty lovely! :) But Wesley is crazy beautiful; lit from within. Happy Birthday!

klineola said...

Happy birthday Wes! I bet you have an amazing art collection already!
Sounds like you all are having a wonderful time.

Tracey Broome said...

Hey everyone, I will pass on the birthday wishes! Thanks for the sweet comments! We are having a great day :)

Susan Wells said...

Nice work Mama!

Tracey Broome said...

Thanks, you're doing some good work yourself out there in the grove:)

Hannah said...

Lovely post. Brought tears to my eyes with the tenderness. Many happy returns to Wesley.

Michèle Hastings said...

giving her artwork is a wonderful gift that she won't outgrow... she will more likely grow into it and it will have a special place in her own home.

Judi Tavill said...

I want to meet Wesley... and YOU... come to NYC! I will take you out... you can even stay here in the garden state and we can do the beach! I know... I'm nuts...

Amy said...

Happy Birthday Wesley! So glad you're having family time Tracey. What a sweet post too.

Tracey Broome said...

Hey y'all, thanks! So much fun having my girl home!
Judi, we will be back in NY one of these days!

cookingwithgas said...

She is a wonderful and sweet child and she loves art! ( and her parents) Happy belated wishes!

Tracey Broome said...

Hey M. She is a pretty special girl:)

Anna M. Branner said...

I am late to the party but I am a Taurus too! I know you had a great day together.

Tracey Broome said...

Ahhhh, you Taurus babies! I have so many taurus friends:)