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A Day to Remember.  I am not referring to Memorial Day but to Tuesday, May 10. It was a day filled with painting, friends, music, food, and inspiration.

After posting my article, Dutch Treat, I looked forward to my Tuesday morning painting session at the adult school.  The model was Elena; a tall, interesting looking Chinese woman. I was not surprised to learn that she had done some fashion modeling.  The color of her sweater was similar to her skin color, so distinguishing her skin from her sweater was going to be a painting challenge. The light on the model was not dramatic and so I knew I would have to concentrate on developing the warm and cool tones. In addition, creating a likeness was to be a difficult task. It would be tempting to paint the portrait of a generically beautiful woman, rather than to express Elena’s unique facial characteristics. Yet, after three hours, I felt that I met these challenges. Afterward, Elena told me “You captured my soul. That’s me.”  

I rushed home, washed most of the paint from my hands, changed clothes, and drove to a nearby Thai restaurant to attend a 90th birthday lunch celebration. I was one of the later arrivals and by default was seated next to Lyn, the guest of honor.  As I visited with friends and acquaintances, I put away pad thai, consumed curry, and chomped on a chicken leg. But the best part was Lyn.  She is entertaining and inspiring. As we chatted, she told me about the people in her senior living community. “They are smart and they don’t start every sentence with ’I’.”  

Earlier in the day I received an email from Nancy on my cell phone. This is a very last minute invitation to come to my house today at 2:30. We will have the privilege of hearing Mi Chi  play a few pieces, informally, on my mother's 1927 rebuilt Steinway. As some of you know, Mi Chi is a concert pianist… So, at the appointed time, my husband and I arrived at Nancy’s for a very private recital. Four of us were treated to a Chopin Ballade. Mi Chi played this beautiful music from memory. We were in awe. A quick visit to Wikipedia revealed that “Frédéric Chopin's four ballades are one-movement pieces for solo piano, composed between 1831 and 1842. They are some of the most challenging pieces in the standard piano repertoire.” Mi Chi told us it was an honor to play on Nancy’s mother’s piano.

When my husband and I returned home, a long-time, dear friend agreed to join us for a glass of wine and dinner at a local Mexican joint. Not only had we not seen each other in a while, but in that period she had confronted a serious health issue. What I love about her is that she is so open. As we drank wine, she explained her condition and treatment. She presented her negative experience in dealing with inadequate medical advisors and her recent victory in acquiring excellent care. As we gobbled guacamole and bolted down burritos, she offered advice and told us that she didn’t want her friends to go through this.  We remarked how well she had researched the medical bureaucracy and searched for outstanding practitioners.  She said “This is my life. And, it helps that I am a professor.”

Note: Today, May 31, after posting this article, I will again attend my painting session. Afterward, I am meeting a few women for lunch to celebrate a birthday. Who knows how the day will unfold.  Wishing all of you a wonderful day.