My very sweet sisters Amy and Holly gave me birthday money and told me I could not turn it down. They wanted me to use it for something special to make me happy. So I decided to stay another day in Richmond. I love seeing my beloved son, Matt and my incredible daughter-in-law, Karissa, so I "named my own price" again for a hotel room, and got a 4-star hotel at half price, kitty corner to the one I was in the night before. My son advised that I head over to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts during my day in Richmond. I am an artist, and LOVE looking at art, but almost never have the opportunity to do so. With no one else to answer to but myself, I happily walked the three miles, in the rain, to the museum.
Fortunately, I always have my umbrella hat and rain cape with me in the car. I got not a few smiles and stares as I walked along with my fashionable umbrella hat. I have to admit, when I caught a glimpse of myself in a storefront window, I did chuckle. The walk was spectacular. Richmond is a beautiful historic city and I was walking along Franklin/Monument Ave, two of the most gorgeous streets in the city. Excitement mounted. It has been ages since I went to an art museum. Why? I love art and have been an artist since old enough to hold a crayon. How had I lost so much of who I was?
Finally, I made it to the third floor. I almost fainted at what greeted me. An entire room of works by my favorite artist, Edgar Degas. The ballerina statue is perhaps his most famous statue, and there it was, in front of me! I could have touched it, if I wanted to, though I knew that would eventually destroy it, so kept my longing fingers to myself.
I traveled on to other treasures. Van Gogh, Gaugin, Matisse, Cezanne, Picasso....I could have weeped with joy. It had been so long, decades, since I had walked alone through an art museum, lingering as long as I wanted, examining the brush strokes up close, and then stepping back with a sigh of contentment to view the painting from a distance.
You may be wondering why I am in all the pictures. In fifty years, when I look back on them, I want to remember I was there. I was in the presence of genius. It has been a long, long time since I have felt so happy. After wandering over the entire breathtaking museum, I started the three-mile walk back to my hotel. Along the way, I passed the historic 5-star Jefferson Hotel. Popping inside, I hoped I would not be arrested for trespassing. Opulence does not begin to describe what greeted my curious eyes.
I sat resting in the magnificence for an hour, thinking how blessed I am. What a wonderful gift my kind sisters gave me, and one that I needed very deeply in my spirit. I headed back to my much more modest hotel finally, content, and look at what I passed on the wall of a beautiful old church:
There have been some overwhelming struggles of late. I have felt as though I were standing on an island with flood waters rising all around me, and there is no boat in sight to rescue me. But even in the midst of all the despair, God sends messages of hope and revival. I am not alone. I am loved.
So are you.
Psalm 94: 18-19 is a good one to meditate upon when depression and despair threaten to overwhelm you.
When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
19 When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy.
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