...For five miraculous years I had the opportunity to work in hospice care. First as a chaplain, offering spiritual support to patients and their families. Then ultimately by raising funds for the under insured managing a hospice thrift shop in Montclair, New Jersey... Stretched and molded in unimagined ways, I discovered a real love for creating displays. Re-purposing resale items with mystery and flair, for awhile, became my art... So, one Christmas I wrote the following little story to accompany one window display -- or so I thought. Taking on a life of it's own, the story eventually grew to twelve chapters, ten months of installations, covering three generations of one family. And, somewhat serendipitously, it also became my swan song, helping me figure out that I needed to get back to my art full time....
Over the next few weeks I plan to share exerts and images from the project. Really about love and passion and finding self. I hope you will enjoy reading The Christmas Window Story as much as I did creating it...
Chapter I
The Santas...
Once upon a time
in the little town called Nearby,
lived an old man name Raymond Santa
and his wife Gloria,
Who always dreamed of visiting Big City
but never seemed to have the time.
One Christmas Eve, Raymond decided
to bring Big City to Gloria
by way of a beautiful red box
all tied with green satin ribbon.
In it he placed valuable treasures
and a special gold leaf invitation
to visit Big City for tea.
The next day they traveled into town,
and Gloria noticed right away,
the entire city was aglow,
even jingle bells did the church bells play.
Above the city a metal Angel did sway,
all decked in sparkling jewels
in a Big City sort of way.
They shopped 'til they dropped,
had tea and a bite.
And it was heard by all,
as they drove out of sight,
“Merry Christmas to all
and to all a good shop!”
Thanks to all my new friends in Blogland.
It has been my joy getting to know you
and experiencing your loves and interests, and learning from you too!
A very Merry Christmas
and all things bright and meaningful in the New Year!
Blessings, Rosalind
in the little town called Nearby,
and his wife Gloria,
but never seemed to have the time.
One Christmas Eve, Raymond decided
to bring Big City to Gloria
all tied with green satin ribbon.
and a special gold leaf invitation
The next day they traveled into town,
and Gloria noticed right away,
even jingle bells did the church bells play.
in a Big City sort of way.
had tea and a bite.
as they drove out of sight,
and to all a good shop!”
