Today is my mother's 88th birthday! May it be a very happy birthday dear Mum.
My mother loves the work of the artist Raphael. His deep and rich colours and soft shapes are compelling, bringing fullness and life to his works. As I consider the significant place of my mother in my life, I am drawn over and over to the images of mother and child in art. These images capture the importance of these early experiences in our lives and I treasure them in my own soul. In this painting Mary cradles baby Jesus close, skin to skin with firm support. It is a quiet and pensive moment as Jesus gains security and strength and gives comfort from his hand on his mother's heart. He looks forward to His life ahead, eyes gazing downward in humble vulnerability, knowing the painful path for both ahead. Mary is pondering all these things in her heart with some reflective sadness, but gentle acceptance and love.
I wonder if Raphael considers the embrace of his own mother as he paints. Perhaps there was never the close caress in the childhood of his own life. On the other hand, maybe he paints of his own rich security stemming from those early embraces. I do not know about Raphael's early foundational experiences as a baby with his mother, but I do pray that this painting will bring joy and health to both those who have known deeply of a mother's love and to those who have not and can internalize this loving image for their own selves.
I am reminded of your love and care, Mum. Thank you for the secure and supportive place in your arms that gave me foundational love and security to look forward and to walk my own path. Like Raphael, you have brought rich depth of colour and shape to my life. Thank you for that amazing gift that only deepens as the years go by. May this next year for you be full of colour and rich depth and love. With much thankfulness, I give you my love and embrace on all that the journey of this next year holds.
I wonder if Raphael considers the embrace of his own mother as he paints. Perhaps there was never the close caress in the childhood of his own life. On the other hand, maybe he paints of his own rich security stemming from those early embraces. I do not know about Raphael's early foundational experiences as a baby with his mother, but I do pray that this painting will bring joy and health to both those who have known deeply of a mother's love and to those who have not and can internalize this loving image for their own selves.
I am reminded of your love and care, Mum. Thank you for the secure and supportive place in your arms that gave me foundational love and security to look forward and to walk my own path. Like Raphael, you have brought rich depth of colour and shape to my life. Thank you for that amazing gift that only deepens as the years go by. May this next year for you be full of colour and rich depth and love. With much thankfulness, I give you my love and embrace on all that the journey of this next year holds.
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