Bean Burritos

On my drive home yesterday, I was thinking about Papa. For the past couple of days I've been working near Mama and Papas home. After 49 years of marriage, he is now taking care of her as she has been living with ALS for the past 7 some years. For the previous 42 years she had taken care of him.

Papa has now learned how to cook a little and in the middle of the day yeasterday, he stopped by to bring me some bean burritos for lunch. He is so proud of his bean burritos. Papa and I are not so close and we don't have much to say to each other. I know he's doesn't accept me being gay, but we just don't talk about it. I'm okay with it. I know he loves me. Just showing up to bring me some food is his way of showing me.

When I finish painting one of my Little Girls, I sign it with my signature and chalk mark. In doing so, I promise myself not to touch it again. I come to accept them as they are. As time goes by, I see flaws or maybe even better, 'room for improvement.' But again, I don't ever touch them. I love them as they are. No matter what.

The piece to the left is titled Shooting Papa. It is a portait of Mama pointing a gun at Papa. I took the image from a photo I found of them vacationing in Mexico. She was pointing a pirate gun at Papa; she had a great big smile on her face. After years of having to take care of every little thing for him, I'm sure the thought of possibly shooting him, even with a toy gun, gave her great joy.

I love Papa. I love Papa for loving Mama and taking great care of her. I love him for showing up with bean burritos and in doing so, showing me that he loves me.

May you go out into the world and perform a little act of kindess to those who come your way.

Happy Thursday!