January & Mom

January, from Janus, the Roman God of beginnings and transitions, depicted with two heads, one facing the past and the other looking to the future. For most, January holds high expectations and promise for a great New Year. For some, January can be the cruelest of months with its frigid temperatures, bleak skies, and mountainous heaps of snow. I suppose it depends upon which way the winds blow.

This month, ten days into the New Year, the winds were not so favorable.

My mother passed away unexpectedly.

As we dig out from one snowstorm, then another, hope springs eternal.

I leave you with a glimpse of a great woman: smart, independent, artistic and caring... my mom, Edna Levine.

Here's a portrait mom took of herself with her Canon AE1, while studying photography in college later in life. Her lifetime was heavily invested in art: printmaking, ceramics, large paper pieces and so much more.

Here are a few of her handmade paper pieces... taken under plexiglass with an ipad... not optimum conditions, but you can still get a feel for what she accomplished.

So much to say... too emotional to say much else.

Best to leave you with the words of a poet.

Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

 I am the sunlight on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there; I did not die.

~ Mary Elizabeth Frye

Edna Levine

1927- 2015

Forever remembered with love.