ME WITH A G

It was over the weekend that I began this watercolor painting. The photograph from which I worked is of an online friend of mine. Her body is perfection, and I hope I captured at least some of that beauty in this painting. She has an equally beautiful face, and eyes that are full of life, intelligence, joy, and a sprinkling of mischief. She also has a man in her real-time world who is the embodiment of masculinity and all that is good in a human being.

Her name is Meg. Me with a g. I came to know her through her poetry. One poem in particular literally swept my breath from me, and I knew I had to find out more about her.

We have become friends. I learn from her, and I would like to think she learns from me. Her interests are wide and varied, and she fascinates me. I love to send her music. Sometimes I hit the mark, and she enjoys the songs. Most of them are sent for reasons that only she would know. They "fit" a person or situation.

And so, with time, I have grown to know much about her. She is a very sensual woman, and that sensuality surrounds her like an aura, which is evident in her writings and looks. I finally asked if I could paint this picture of her. The shadows playing across her splendid body intrigued me, as did the artistic pose. I am heterosexual, but I certainly can and do recognize and appreciate beauty. I wanted to give a go at attempting to capture it with my watercolors. With her permission, I painted it, then I asked for permission to post it. She granted it. ::smile::

Thank you, Me with a g. It is my hope you are pleased with this rendering of you.

"The portrait is one of the most curious art forms. It demands special qualities in the artist, and an almost total kinship with the model." ~Henri Matisse

WITH THE OWNERS OF MY HEART~SPC, September, Week 2

They not only hold my hands, but they hold my heart for all of time. My son. My daughter.

Two unique beings created from love and unconditionally loved by me. They are bits of me and bits of my husband and bits of their ancestors. And they bring their own individual traits into this world.

I see in them the past, the present, and the future. It is with tremendous pride I call them my children. Beauties, both, in every way.

(Self-Portrait Challenge Theme: September is ‘with someone‘ month - that means you must include someone else in your self portrait. Someone meaningful to your life or to the moment or to a specific event that you wish to document.

Guidelines: 1. each week in the month use a different person in your self portait. 2. either talk about that person or illustrate in the photograph why you have included them and how they are meaningful.)

9/11 TRIBUTE TO MASARU OSE

On September 11, 2001, at 9:03 a.m., a man named Masaru Ose was killed. Are you familiar with his name? My guess is no, not at all. Yet, he is a genuine hero by virtually any definition. A hero the likes about whom movies are made or books written.

This is my tribute to an unsung hero. Please take a few moments to read about his all-too-brief life, and his selflessness in making the ultimate sacrifice for others.

Ose was a Japanese man who lived in Fort Lee, New Jersey. He worked for a company called Mizuho Capital Markets Corporation. Its location was on the 80th floor of the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. He was one of the managers of the approximately 150 employees.

Countless searches for a record of his official obituary and a picture of him produced no results. I wish I had a face to put on this man, but maybe in some ways it is better that he remain faceless, so he could be you or me. Or could he?

On that September 11th morning five years ago, Ose was at work when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The President of Mizuho and three employees, Ose being one of them, worked together to successfully evacuate every employee from their offices on the 80th floor. And then. Then. United Airlines Flight 175 hit the South Tower. Ose perished, as did the other three.

150 lives were saved because of those four men. 150 people whose families did not have to grieve for them. 150 people who were given the chance to live because someone had the presence of mind to see to their safety before it was too late. 150 people who undoubtedly realize the heroic actions of Ose and three co-workers. And 150 people who were the recipients of the highest form of selflessness.

Ose was a mere 36 years old at the time of his death. So very young. Yet so very, very full of decency, kindness, and compassion. So much so that he gave his life to save others. And just how many people do you know who would be willing to give their lives for fellow employees?

Ah, the world lost a good and honorable man at 9:03 a.m., September 11, 2001.

Yes, Masaru Ose, you are, indeed, a hero. And I am proud to honor your life here in this journal and in my heart.

"What is a hero without love for mankind?" ~Doris Lessing

This is part of a project D. Challener Roe began, and includes over 3,000 bloggers paying tribute to those 2,996 men and women who were lost on that horrifically tragic day in 2001. Click HERE to view the other tributes.

REKINDLED

Last year I was going through an unpleasant time dealing with some online nonsense. It was ongoing, and it was stifling. I made the difficult decision to move on. To get away from all of it. I closed my beloved journal, changed my screen name, and left behind all that was familiar. And it is here that I have blossomed. I have always said that from bad comes good. I have discovered more of the good in myself, and I have definitely found it in others whom I have been blessed to get to know. My decision turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me. It has even added to the happiness I find in my "real" world. I am grateful for all of that.

Just prior to departing from "that other" place, I had long talks with a good soul with whom I had always been close. He knew I was contemplating a change. He knew of my frustration. Better yet, he understood. He was supportive. He and I had a unique relationship. There is a disparity in our ages, yet I do believe he is an old soul in a younger man's body. Like he said, perhaps we knew each other in a previous life, because we have always had a connection. From the moment we met online, there was that spark of feeling like I had met my kindred spirit. He is also the most curious person I have ever known. His mind wants to absorb and explore all that is the world. And his artistic ability is staggering. He never failed to impress me with his artwork and creativity. He, himself, was in the process of making his own online changes. He made a new screen name he intended to use. A fresh start to go with some real life newness. He told me that name. He asked that we stay in touch. I promised we would. And then, he sent me the following poem. Written just for me on the spur of the moment. He never considered himself a poet and did not even write poetry. Yet, he produced this:

I Wish You Didn't Have To Leave

"I wish you didn't have to leave,"
So said the jay bird to the summer wind
"Your gentle warmth beneath my wing is all I need
This departure I wish you would rescind."

Then the jay bird keened his ear
For the sailing summer breeze speaks light
And only those who truly seek her voice can hear
Her voice of beauty, sharp as night

"Young jay bird, fret yourself a little less,"
Said her voice, drifting cool across the meadow
"For though I go, there is something I must impress
And that is this, dear little fellow:

Life moves as a cycle, turning in seasons
Time has an ebb and flow like the sea
It tells not why, and gives no reasons
It simply turns, like the leaves of your tree."

Jay bird twittered in protest
And quite nearly missed the most important part
"Hush now, child," said the wind brushing softly on the nest
"There is one more thing I wish you to take to heart:

My nature is spirit, and so is yours
Not physical, matter is so inconsequential
I am still and always beneath you as you soar,
Because we met, which was not coincidental

Let not our friendship be marred
And no more woe, you were meant to fly!"
With a mighty gust she nudged him hard
And the smilin' jay bird rose into the sky.

Is that not impossibly beautiful? How I cried when I read it (and find myself still welling up). He knew of my love for the wind. He expressed through that poem the anguish I was feeling, but also the hope that comes with change. And he assured me through those lovely words that we would always remain friends.

I closed my old screen name. And then the awful happened. I could not remember his new screen name. I had apparently not transferred it when I made my change. Countless times I thought about him. Wondering how he was doing. If his life was going well. If his own fresh start was mimicking that of his real world. It literally pained me to be unable to reach him. To check on him. To catch up on his world. To know that he was happy.

Kindred spirits seemingly find each other. It was but days ago that he contacted me. How he was able to do so was even indicative of just how our friendship transcends supposed boundaries. I was elated! It was pure joy to be able to talk to him again. He continues to fascinate me. Enlighten me. And God knows, he is my friend in all ways. When I told him that I had recently read this poem again and wished to place it here in my journal, he said, "It is your poem to do with whatever you wish." Oh, and how I wanted it in here. For others to see and feel the words of this special man.

Sweet Seb? I adore you. For always. And thank you for encouraging me to fly.

IN THE SHOWER~Self-Portrait Challenge, #1 September

He prefers showers; I prefer baths. He is somewhat inhibited; I am a bit of an exhibitionist. He is quiet; I am often loud. He is Italian, Irish, and Slovak; I am a WASP. He is brilliant with numbers; I still count on my fingers at times. He plays guitar; I play with paints. He watches television; I watch the stars. He grew up in a small town; I grew up in a big city. He has brothers; I have sisters. He appears calm; I appear ready to dial 9-1-1. He laughs with a smile; I laugh out loud. He keeps most of his thoughts to himself; I blog mine. He sees the black and white; I see the gray.

And he is the man with whom I chose to spend the rest of my life. My husband. He loves me; I love him.

(Self-Portrait Challenge Theme: September is ‘with someone‘ month - that means you must include someone else in your self portrait. Someone meaningful to your life or to the moment or to a specific event that you wish to document.

Guidelines:1. each week in the month use a different person in your self portait.2. either talk about that person or illustrate in the photograph why you have included them and how they are meaningful.)