For Leah and Morrie
March 30, 2011 * * * * * Posted by: Honey 
I shared a downtown studio with a brilliant painter-printmaker who moved to Wisconsin and became incredibly successful with his designs for Fried Green Tomatoes (http://dandipaolostudios.blogspot.com/). When Dan left, I decided to build a barn studio in my woods, and despite being worried about missing the artist bustle of the city, I have enjoyed every single day of my space.
Of course, I know I am lucky, and I am grateful, but this is an essay about inspiration from my mother whose green thumb moved me to dig up the mud behind my barn and spend 10 years watching this garden grow. Mom and I sat on a stone bench and fed fish whom we named. The biggest of the goldfish were named for my parents, Leah and Morrie, and we laughed as we watched them hide from heron under the rocks. At the time of our shared fish feeding days, my Dad had been gone for nearly 50 years but never from my mother's heart.
I spent the days following my mother's funeral on our bench. Much to my delight, Leah and Morrie had babies, the first time in the small pond's history, we had little ones! That week, I learned something about my photographer father that I had not known, because he died when I was 3. My aunt told me that the addition my parents were building to our home when my dad died was a two-story studio that would have a waterfall that flowed into a pond that my dad intended on filling with fish.
Here's to a summer of photos, blooms, fragrance, and the smile I anticipate each time I hear water sounds. Bring it.
Reader Comments (16)
I can't think of any possible tribute to your parents better than this, Honey. It brings sweet tears to my eyes. Thank you for reminding me of my own deceased parents, now in their own garden...and studio.
Oh..this is such a beautiful way to honor and remember your mother..made even more special by your late-in-life discovery that a fish-filled pond was also a part of your father's dream.
Made me cry!
Simply lovely..and - yes - bring it on!!!
A moving story Honey, it touched me... and bring it on indeed, I am ready for spring and summer
A beautiful tribute to your parents, it made me stop and think about my own. Thanks
What a sweet story. And a very beautiful garden. And what a great tribute to your parents. Thanks for sharing
Beautiful honey. It has started my day today on a good note. Thank you for sharing a part of yourself
What a beautiful story, Honey, you brought tears to my eyes. And how wonderful that now you can imagine both your parents there with you in their own way.
Hey Honey, how many people get to say those words, " in my woods"... and then end up with a studio barn, garden, a stone bench to share with your Mom, gold fish and a waterfall to make that beautiful connection with your Dad. It must have been alot of hard work but how very special!
I can hear the trickling of water in this photo. Such soothing green also. It seems you have learned to appreciate life from your parents as well.
As many have said, what a lovely tribute to your mother. And how fantastic to find the unknown connection to your father. Great minds do think alike, yes? Yes.
A beautiful picture that is calming (yes, I can hear the sound of water, so soothing) and such a wonderful tribute to your mom and then also to your dad. This way they will always be with you.
Your image is so soothing! What a special place and a moving tribute you wrote!
beshert.
I can almost hear the water.
So lovely, peaceful and tranquil -- the garden image and the tribute to your parents. Your garden space looks like a perfect space for meditating and finding peace, solitude, and inspiration.
what a gorgeous little sanctuary you have created for yourself, very special indeed. your post particularly resonates as i am desperate to make a creative space for myself somewhere. we've moved quite a lot of late and i just haven't felt suitably inspired until now. i really do want a studio, and every post i read, about studios, make me want one even more!!! :)