Friday, February 18, 2011

Dance of the Fairies

A couple of years ago a tornado blew through downtown Atlanta damaging buildings in the city and nearby in-town neighborhoods.  A good friend living in one of those neighborhoods helped put together a fundraiser to help raise money for uninsured homeowners.  It was a great event that included a silent auction and I was lucky enough to win a painting.  Honestly from the moment I saw it I was in love with it.   I loved it even more when I read the artist's notes about the painting.  

Hundreds of colorful prisms flowed through the banisters of the Fresh Air Home's second story balcony. The prisms cascaded downward to the grand foyer and greeted the "Lost Children" with magical warmth as we entered through the home's front doors. Naturally bonded by silent fears we listened pensively to the housemothers as they explained the rules, and the consequences which most certainly would bewail us if broken. Moving effortlessly within the dancing rainbows, the fairies whispered words of encouragement: "Leave behind the fears within your confused little minds and the battered scars left upon your little bodies; you will be safe within the halls of your magical summer home."  -    Deborah Elizabeth Empting                                                                                                                   
A footnote following this passage explains that this is an excerpt from a novel the artist is writing.  She further explains that she transitioned in and out of 36 families while growing up in Tybee Island and Savannah, Georgia.   Now when I see the painting, I see pink and all the other beautiful things that a child tries to imagine when growing up in a painful world. 
May we all see the world with fresh eyes everyday celebrating pink and all the other beautiful colors in it. 

Joining Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday.

18 comments:

  1. I just love your writings. You always have the right words for the right situation. This was such a sweet post.

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  2. The store behind the painting is beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Happy PS

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  3. Cheryl, this is a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing the wonder of the this artist's work. Happy Pink Saturday!

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  4. That was a very touching story, I see why you fell in love with the painting. Have a good weekend..;j

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  5. What a wonderful story and how wonderful for you to be owning this lovely piece of art.

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  6. It's amazing how a gifted artist can make beauty from tragedy. No wonder you love the painting.

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  7. A beautiful painting for a beautiful cause.
    Happy Pink Saturday, Char

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  8. I am a true lover of art, and the house is filled with it from top to bottom. This painting is to die for gorgeous...so pale and muted...so serene and tranquil. I know it must be one of your special treasures. Thanks so much for sharing it with us this weekend. HPS.

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  9. Happy Pink Saturday Sweetie...
    A beautiful share today. I love the fairy story. I can see why you fell in love with the painting. Absolutely heart moving. Thank you for sharing with me this evening.

    I hope you have had a wonderful Saturday sweet friend. Many hugs and much love, Sherry

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  10. The painting is a delight and the story behind it is quite moving.

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  11. Thank God she was still able to see beauty after all she had been through!
    What a story!!

    m ^..^

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  12. What a beautiful painting and beautiful post.

    The words of the fairies gave me chills. How comforting it would be to hear those words as a frightened child!

    The magical summer home sounds like a place any child would love.

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  13. What a beautiufl painting, Cheryl! You are right...the description is haunting and heart-breaking. I would never be able to look at it without thinking about children in foster care....hugs...Debbie
    PS...Thanks for telling me about the Fête du Citron! Have you been? Looks like fun!

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  14. "Such a beautiful story" to match this artists work...I LOVE the title, it is PERFECT! Thank you for sharing...
    Have a wonderful week,
    Hugs, Donna

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  15. The painting is lovely and the story is poignant. Thanks for sharing both!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  16. Your writing is such a gift. The words behind the painting are magic. Thank you for sharing them.

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