Today is September 11, 2011.
I believe most everyone in the world knows what significance this date holds, especially to America. Thinking of that day and where I was, what I was doing and figuring out how to maintain some form of composure still hits me pretty hard on an emotional level. I am sure many of us share that feeling.
I was in Atlanta, GA, had just arrived to work at my new job as Assistant Director of Plymouth Harbor. PH is truly a wonderful adult day program that is run by Central Congregational Church of Christ on Clairmont Road. When the planes hit the World Trade Center, I was preparing to get in the van to go out and pick up some of our participants. I was so scared, so alone and wondered how I could manage to do what I needed to do there. Do I run home instead of working? Harry was working in Alpharetta and I could not reach him except to leave a phone message saying " I love you". So many thoughts in an instant about my family and loved ones - is everyone ok?
Somehow, I found composure standing in that church parking lot. It was a beautiful blue sky morning and all was quite. I looked up to the sky as I approached the van and I wondered if any more planes and lives would be destroyed. I said a prayer all along my trip of collecting the precious cargo of old people and tried keep a calm voice as we discussed the confusing news that several just did not grasp. I was glad to get back to the church and start the day (like any other day). There was Mary's birthday and all the other activities to think about and make preparations, talking to the director and staff about a worship service for the afternoon. We'll we did it and I did it too. We managed and got through the day, even signing happy birthday to a very special lady!
We have moved forward as a nation and a people since that terrible series of events, but our hearts still hurt and We Will Never Forget. Ten years has given us time to be reminded of the grace of God, to find resolution and lately to find something called justice.
My recollections of that day have led me to share my latest art work with you. My work, The Art of KAPOW's latest finished piece is titled, "Psalm 23, a psalm of David. I worked quickly on this one and was guided by the fabric (it talks to me and helps guide me to see what it could become) to create what you see now. The bird is the symbol of God's love, the multi hued brown background fabric was the piece that spoke to me to use the scripture. When I examined the complex design in this remnant, I kept thinking of the words, "though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil". The rest of the work just flowed from there.
Above - the fabric that took me to the scripture and my persona conveying the message.
Below - the finished piece.
Love to you all - designing and living life!
Kathy
