A Girl and Her Chicken

The last months of 2019 are in the rearview mirror, and I’m happy to have them behind me. I leave that time a little bruised and vulnerable, having lost my mother to a rapid decline from stage 4 cancer in mid November. She was a force of nature and a muse to many. I’m learning to live in the world without her, and still wake astonished with that thought.

 

© Sue Schlabach

 

 

My mom was a farmgirl in the forties and fifties. She wanted to be a cowgirl and went on to teach English and work as an editor. She wrote, and organized and made creative, interesting things happen everywhere she went. In these footsteps I follow.

I painted this young girl with a rooster a few weeks before Mom died. If anyone could tame and hold a rooster, it would have been my mom. I imagine this rooster’s name is Henry. Isn’t he a handsome fellow?

 

5 Comments

Join the discussion and tell us your opinion.

Lisareply
January 10, 2020 at 5:17 pm

Sorry to hear about your mom.

Brett Ann Stanciureply
January 11, 2020 at 5:31 am

Thanks for sharing this lovely post. And my deep condolences to you and your family. xo

Marcia W. Parkerreply
January 11, 2020 at 7:53 am

Thanks for this, Sue. It brings both healing and piqued interest in your further sharing.

Bethreply
January 11, 2020 at 10:37 am

Your mom was a warm, generous person–so important to me as a lonely midwesterner in eastern PA in the mid-80s! I’m so sorry for your loss but am moved by the powerful ways you are able to share her with all of us through art. Thinking of you!

eringundyreply
January 11, 2020 at 1:11 pm

Henry IS very handsome and your Mom would have him whipped into shape in no time. I see her in you. She will never leave you, it’s just harder to get a hug right now. xo

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