Comments on: Art of Raising Children

By: Laura

Laura — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:13:43 +0000

Annie, your post called up a memory form earlier this year
Feb 5. 2009
I woke thinking of Michelangelo’s Pieta this morning and thought of Mary holding her boy’s body. I wondered how many mothers have carried thier son’s lifeless bodies utterly bereft. Did Mary grieve as I do? Did she feel the presence of angels as she held him, sense His spirit had left and know she wouldn’t be able to hold Him again as he smiled and responded to her love? Did she caress his cheek and kiss His head? Breathe in his scent as deeply as she could so she would never forget? Did she wash his body and notice all that made Him him? Did she stroke his hair? Wrap her fingers into His?
Yet she had peace. It was natural to hold him. I’m sure that though her heart was broken she knew it was out of her hands and that though she didn’t want to, she must somhow call up the courage to say goodbye. She knew who He was. She was sure of His love.

By: m&m

m&m — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 06:30:17 +0000

Loved this post. Thank you.

By: Sage

Sage — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 06:04:26 +0000

Love this and the replies. Especially Escher! That might be how I see my parenting of my oldest, who is 16 and has his driver’s permit and is playing in a band!

My second son is so much more dependent on me than my friend-based teenager. A Mary Cassatt for sure with him.

My oldest girl…perhaps something impressionist, Van Gogh? So many things are unclear, but still beautiful. I wish I knew how to be a good mother for girls since I have three now.

So my two year old would be something spunky—Matisse or Chagall even.

And my three month old–total serenity: Mary Cassatt giving her child a bath comes to mind often when I bathe my chubby little girl.

Thanks for this blessing to picture (literally) my feelings towards my children.

By: Melissa M.

Melissa M. — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 03:42:02 +0000

Annie, this was such a beautifully written post! I’m going to think about the art angle, but right now I’m appreciating the art you created in this post.

By: mormonhermitmom

mormonhermitmom — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 03:28:45 +0000

An Escher print. You think you’re going a certain direction and before you know it, you’re going a completely different direction.

By: Melissa Y.

Melissa Y. — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:43:09 +0000

Love this Annie! Thanks for giving me something to think about.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:53:16 +0000

Beautiful writing! And beautiful mothering. Your kids are lucky. Art? All original, various styles, depending on the day…

By: Christie

Christie — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:45:13 +0000

I LOVE THIS. You are such a good writer. Thanks for sharing it again with us, my friend.

By: Becky

Becky — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:28:12 +0000

Thank you so much for this beautiful, thoughtful post! My twin daughters–my oldest children–turn 12 tomorrow and I feel we are at a turning point in life. Your Pieta moments experience will certainly help me soon down the road, as I remember being that despairing teenager all too well. For now, I’m hoping for some energetic, colorful Matisse moments(though no nudes, please!)

By: Selwyn

Selwyn — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:59:39 +0000

My eldest is turning 12 next week, and I’m more and more aware of the care and attention warranted for such an amazing son. I don’t know how to balance the walk with/give wings demands, but I’m looking forward to learning. I tend to think forward to how I’d like him/us to be, and work backwards from there.

As such, my main art inspiration for being a Mum is “Peace” by Dan Gerhartz. The woman looks tired, yet peaceful, and resting on her source of strength. I love so much about that picture. The representation of my prayers as a parent is “Watchers In The Night” by Thomas Blackshear. The angel watching the sleeping boy was the first (expensive) framed print I bought and I’ve never regretted it.

For some reason, the art for being a sister is Shaun Tan’s picture in “Tales from Outer Suburbia” where the dogs are watching the house burn ( click “Tales” then scroll down a bit, http://www.shauntan.net/books.html) or his two creatures in the “dinner” picture from “The Arrival” (again, “Arrival”, scroll from the link). Shaun’s work is amazing, so detailed and emotive. (The Arrival doesn’t actually have ANY words, just pictures. I cried at the end of it!)