As you may know, I make my artworks and photographs available for you to purchase. Some are originals and some as blank greeting cards with envelopes.
You can see many of them here under the 'Artworks For Sale' tab above. If you are thinking about the purchase a set of 5 of them, then please contact me.
The following is the story of how I came to take this photo and the meaning for me behind it.
About a 4 hour drive up the coast from Perth, there is a small country town on the Western Australian coast. The town is full of history. It has a fantastic climate with warm Indian Ocean waves rolling onto the beaches of fine golden sands. There's incredibly, amazing wildflowers to be seen in the spring, loads of natural wonders, Naval and maritime history and some really great eats for the foodies. 'Plug' - the Burnt Barrel Outback BrewBQ.
A man had to regularly travel to this amazing place for work and leave
his family at home in South Australia. He missed them very much whenever
he was away, especially his wife. He decided to treat his wife. He would take her with him on one of his work trips so she could have a wee holiday
and visit this beautiful part of Australia and the town called
Geraldton.
The wife really enjoyed her time on her own during the days, visiting
the countryside to view the wildflowers, art galleries and museums. Taking walks along the beach and the marina, dipping toes into the surprisingly warm Indian Ocean, enjoying a lattes in the local cafes, even painting and crocheting in the sunshine
on the beach.Then there was the warm balmy evenings, sharing pizzas at the local outdoor bars and restaurants with the team of her husband's colleagues who were also on the job that week in Gero, as its affectionately called.
When life gives us opportunities we need to embrace them, for we do not know the people we will meet, or the experiences we will live.
During some very confusing, difficult and dark days where I lost so many of my days and months to the blurry cloud of fighting off the big black dog, I also lost memory of the time (years) that passed and the events that happened (18th's, 21st's, Year 12 celebrations, etc), some of them very special and important occasions in our family, during those years. The Black Dog ate them like a starving dingo, so thank the Lord for photos! Time kind of became warped and either was lost into a black hole abyss or was tossed in the surf dumper of confusion in the fight to figure out what day it is today and just be able to suck in another breath of air to survive another few minutes without embarrassing yourself any further in a crumpled heap of panic on the floor.
It would have been easier to stay at home that week like I had all the many other weeks and fortnights Mr N had been away. You know, for all the energy it took to spend a 14 hour day flying and driving to Geraldton, and back again (and the couple of weeks or so recovery time when I got back home), I am grateful that I went and Mr N was willing to take me. That week taking walks along the beach alone, enjoying the sleep-in's and someone to make my bed daily was a moment of peace and tranquility in amidst the turmoil of dealing with trauma's and loss'. And it left me with some precious memories I am grateful the dog did not devour. I took this photo on one of those walks on the beach. I just took the photo. I had no plans for it. My footprints were the first of the day. It was so cool to walk along the beach that morning that had not been walked on by anyone else that day. It was a bit surreal in a way, almost felt like I was the only person on earth all while being right there in the town surrounded by buildings and the many artworks and playground along the esplanade.
I like the verse that is on the card. It is only a portion of the whole well known poem 'Footprints'.My hubbie said all this to me, not in these words, but by his actions, by walking beside me through the dark days of my journey. I am incredibly lost for words as to how blessed I am to have someone in my life that has been willing to choose to walk this journey with me and decide not to walk away as many would have. Some friends did. Many don't understand even when they try, and you can't expect them to since they probably haven't been there themselves or had a close family member wrestling that huge BLACK dog. Statistics say that one day they will and then they will understand what it means to have thoughtful caring people around. They will learn that it is more scary for you than them. Those who understand won't gossip, but let you tell your story to whom you choose when you choose. People who don't make a big deal out of your sad story, but realise they are no different, as we all have different things we deal with in life and one is not necessarily worse than another, just different so they then treat you like a true friend who will hold your hand and walk beside you on this rocky path called 'Life'.
The 'Footprints Verse' is not a verse that I ever really found I personally could relate to until now, looking back. That's what this verse is all about, looking back and seeing the footprints or evidence that show we were not alone, even though we felt it incredibly deeply at the time, while at the same time looking ahead seemed so endlessly long and lonely.
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| Cards are blank on the inside and come with envelope. |
I am also thankful for the medicare support system our nation has which makes it possible for chronic health sufferers to have a better life than they would have otherwise.
I am thankful for so many things. You really don't want to be reading that list for the next 2 hours. But that being said, I am here and I have my amazing loving husband, my 4 precious children and through it all I still have my faith in God, My Rock who has so many encouraging words in the bible for me to read.
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| For a Set of 5 cards (blank inside) with envelopes contact me. |