Celebration of Life

Moving beyond my pain and celebrating life.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

November 24th...

20 years ago, Beckie was 34 years old, young and vibrant with high expectations of graduating in the spring with a nursing degree. Beckie was a mother of four boys, worked full-time and went to nursing school driving 43 miles one way. Beckie never complained about having to hang the laundry on the clothes line to dry even in the winter, having to haul their drinking water from town or the long hours she had to spend just to keep food on the table.

Sadly, Beckie never realized her dreams and was brutally gunned down by her 15 year old step-son; he turned and slaughtered the other three boys and set the house on fire to cover his crimes.

Even after 20 years, my loss of my sister does not diminish and it probably never will. I am not writing this blog for sympathy or to cause hurt to others but to reflect the things that Beckie's life has taught me. The first is, never give up, do your very best and look for the blessing behind every bad time. Second, always look for the best in people, don't judge them and never gossip or talk bad about others. The most important thing I have learned from Beckie's life is to celebrate your life, live each day as if were your last with no regrets and to always leave others with a smile.

Still smiling,
Jo

P.S. To read the full story, my sister Ellie has it posted on her blog:
http://mscreek.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html#5050652361808253203

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Wilderness Challenge #3



I have had a little problems with the antlers but I think I have them almost complete. I still have a little work on the legs and still have to figure out what I am going to do with the foreground. So far, I am pleased with the results...what do you think?
Jo

Saturday, November 20, 2010

November Wilderness Challenge.. Progression 1 & 2

Today is one of those days that I did not feel like doing much of anything so I drug out my easel and started painting. Gary Keimig of Dubois posts an art challenge every month and since this month is one of my favorite wildlife animals, I decided to take him up on it.

The challenge



The background...

The mid-ground
More to come....
Have a great weekend everyone!
Jolene