July 15, 2009

Gifts, Grace and Inspiration



Gifts
This is Gracie. She is my daughter's dog daughter. She is full of energy, fun and personality - just like her human mom. This painting is Krista's much belated birthday gift - Happy Birthday Krista!



My gift first thing this morning was being treated to a visit from this doe and her fawn. The doe has visited a few times but this is the first time bringing the fawn. As you can tell from the picture, this little one was having fun jumping and running about, but not too far from mom. What a great way to start the day!

Grace and Inspiration
Recently I found out a childhood friend of my daughter's has been diagnosed with leukemia and I have been following her journal on Caring Bridge. In her recent post she talks about her 6 month old daughter who was born 9 weeks early and the story she whispers to her at night of the miracle that she is. She then talks about the other miracle babies in her life, whose cord blood is creating miracles in her own healing an dhow grateful she is to their parents for letting her share part of their own miracles. Through the very act of their birth they are saving lives and she hopes that someone whispers stories to them at night telling them of the miracles that they are. She asks the question - has it ever occurred to you how many lives you may have saved just by being here?
And in spite of all she is going through she states life is awesome. And she is right, it is awesome and we should celebrate it every day. Her grace in all of this inspires me.

Krista's Dog Daughter
9x12 oil on panel
NFS

Thanks for your visit! Go celebrate!
©2009 Deb Kirkeeide. All rights reserved.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

i think your animal portraits are still my favs. when i saw this on FB, i had a hard time believing it wasnt a photograph. you really capture an animal's spirit

Roxanne Steed said...

What a wonderful blog entry to share..I love this little dog painting..and appreciate the story even more....
Smiles & blessing to you, Roxanne

Deb Kirkeeide said...

Wow,Sue, thank you!

Roxanne thank you. Smiles and blessings back.

Kristen Reitz-Green said...

I just love you dog painting (and your other work too) but this one really made me post a comment. Beautiful...

Anonymous said...

I LOVE this painting mom. I can't wait to hang my dog daughter up on my wall. Love you lots.

Deb Kirkeeide said...

Kristen, I feel homored that you were moved to comment ~ thank you!

Krista, um...I mean Anonymous... - so glad you are happy with your painting - can't wait to get it to you.

Chuck Dilmore said...

Sweetness!

Chuck Dilmore said...

sorry to earn about your friend's child...
i remember when my nephew was 8.
diagnosed with leukemia.

today, he is 28.
virile. happy. successful.
he conquered using methods
ancient by today's standards.

everything will work out.
it's always terrible when a child is sick...
we would do anything to take their pain.

miracles are born.
children save lives - ours, those in need.


peace~