It has taken me some time to write this post thinking of my uncle Kenneth who has passed away from cancer this past September. Death doesn't seem real sometimes, especially if you are far from it. Kenneth enjoyed life, and he especially liked watching the birds and creatures outside his home in Greenvale New York. He and I shared this love of nature's peacefulness, even though I haven't seen him since I was a little girl. Over the years he sent me photos of the birds he took and I painted him some pictures for him a few years ago. I didn't get to painting all of the photos so when we found out he might not have much time, we got a plane ticket to visit and I feverishly painted the last few pictures he sent me. Unfortunately, we were too late and he never got to see his last gift from me. I will not forget his kind heart and connection with nature we shared. Though I will miss him, he can now be free from the pain as birds flying in the wind. These are the paintings for Kenneth titled "Kenneth's Birds" which showed in the Acres of Art Show at the Art Exchange in Long Beach last weekend. This is a reminder that you never know what will happen and it is important to not wait too long to appreciate the ones you love. I also will share a poem he wrote and sent to me:
Autumn Magic
A sudden gust of
wind and a
Flock of leaves burst joyously out of
the treetops
Soaring high in a
grey- ghost sky
Then sailing on
invisible currents they
Transform
themselves from birds to leaves and then into
Dead kites sadly
twirling to the ground.
November 23, 2009
Kenneth
Eisenpresser
Old Brookville,
New York