I have two teenagers. Need I say more? Time is gold when it comes to showing them how much you care. Regardless of the incessant cries of "That's not fair!" and "You're the meanest mom in the world!" you remind yourself that when they are older they will realize the sacrifices you made. Right? Right. The glory is bittersweet.
And my mind flows back to my art. The beautiful music is creates in my life starts to play in the back of my mind. All the pretty colors swirl around in my head. That is my peaceful, happy place. My mind is drawn to my studio time and time again. Although peaceful, it can be stressful.
Thinking about the art experiences and creativity that I miss when I'm wrapped up in everyone's schedules, the loss of practice, and what that might do to my future artistic endeavors, scares me. It truly scares me. What if I put so much of myself into my family that the time it takes away from my art ruins my talent for good? Definitely stuff to ponder.
But in the end, I shrug and think, "I'll have to have something to hold on to when my kids are gone." And the patience sets in, and I turn off the light in my studio to spend time playing video games with my son and basketball with my daughter. There are many different kinds of art. My children are my most beautiful creations.
Sometimes the canvas has to wait.
