The Landscape is Always Changing: A Legacy

The small white picket fence has long been replaced with a modern wrought iron fence. The tree that once shaded the house has fallen replaced by new trees and a pool has hosted teens, grandchildren and families from soccer teams to cubscouts.

This wonderful landscape is where we all grew up together and most of us were already adults. I've written about driving my son around the backroads of Wylie-the dirt road and all the animals we either saved or got closer to then we should've. This was where our teens came for swimming and snacks after school. My youngest son, at age 10, caught a giant bass he's never forgotten. On fishing -blog post

Before my youngest was even born, my oldest son, his mom and I would take the old steel boat with a leak that we could never quite find and we'd fish for catfish. After the lake dried up, the next door neighbor built a dock, there were donkeys in pens nearby and rides on the mule and so many cottonmouths we dodged, both by the lake and in the toybox.

Today, we gathered to share memories of their mom. My sons and their sons and even one of the many dogs that called this backyard their playground. When you lose an integral part of a family you realize all the beauty and laughter she brought to all of us and I don't think I could even describe a better legacy then this.

Here name was Carrie, She was the mother of my kids and my wife, although we divorced many years ago, we were always friends. She didn't fit so well into this world, maybe that's why we connected so well but what she brought to all of us was life changing.

"Your paintings all over our house reflect the seasons of our lives"- Mamaw

I always talk about how death should be natural, it shouldn't be something so morbed and feared. It is as natural as being born and when it is your time, it is your time. Carrie died much like she lived, against convention. Her careless way of looking at the world is what made our memories so special, she wasn't afraid of living, even if it was often to her detriment.

She was a fighter, I remember the time she had her purse stolen, while she was having a cigarette in place you a woman shouldn't be having a cigarette alone. Many woman would have screamed, she chased them down. I am a better, less fearful, more bold person having known her.

I watch her sons and how they live their lives and how they remember this amazing landscape that has changed so much over the years and yet it has stayed the same. It is a safe place in a violent world, a place to talk with mammau and papau and a place to grow up.

Carrie would be proud looking back and I know she was there while we celebrated her life.

I am sharing this with my artist, writers, photographer groups because my paintings and sketches have painted my life living in this landscape, it is my legacy in art. I grew up as a lover of nature, an artist, a dad and this landscape and the people who have made it what it is are my family.