Words can't express

[Melody]

I was just over five months pregnant when I went into labour and was med'evaced out of Inuvik, NWT to the U of A Hospital in Edmonton. We landed in a bush plane during a lightning storm. And so began 9.5 months for a country girl alone in a strange city with a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care.

I lost David and later had my second Son. I always wanted a picture of the two boys in the same photo. I tried to do it using graphics but it never suited me. I mentioned this to Ms. Fishykisses and she offered to try to draw them into one picture for me. That was almost a year ago.

Today I got an early Birthday present and I completely lost it when I opened the envelope and saw my two boys, not only in the same picture, but looking very natural like my second Son is holding the first... even though I suppose there's nothing natural about that, but you know what I mean.

This was no small accomplishment. The only pictures I have of David have him with tape on his face, holding oxygen tubes in place. His little face is mishapen from retaining fluid and from having so many intubations deforming his nose and upper lip - months on a respirater....

Connie wiped all that away, yet somehow still captured him. It wasn't easy for her and I thought she had understandably given up. Apparently not.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f227/canadiansinternetdotcom/JD_David-Sml.jpg


Once again I am reminded that although life sux royally at times, I am very lucky to have friends with such astounding hearts. Connie, I can't verbalize how much your gift means to me, thanks so much.

[fishykisses]

now you're gonna make me cry

[mixixe]

awe. that is a beautiful picture! thanks so much for sharing your story mel. ::hugs::

[jones]

that needs a real nice frame and matting post haste :smile:

thanks for the story, memories are so pricless to hang on to...
all the best

[AquaScaper]

Wow, that's so deeply moving!

Thanks for having the courage to share such a beautiful, sad and now joyous piece of your life with us Mel.

:hugs:

[Melody]

That talent & heart deserves to be seen publicly, hence the post :smile: . I couldn't be more pleased with it. Can't wait to go frame shopping.

[Fugu]

make shure the cardboard backing dosnt have any acid.and that you do not fasten the picture too securly to the backing.The led will rub off onto the glass if you do.

very nice story mel!:smile:

[CACAdmin]

Ms. Fishykisses, I can't imagine anything anyone could give Melody that would be more appreciated. What a beautiful gift! What a kind, generous thing to do!:smile:

[hp10BII]

That's so beautiful in so many ways...

[fishykisses]

I'm truly touched by your words - Thank you
I'm very critical of my work and never think it's very good, i'm really pleased that it means that much to you.

[Melody]

You're a very special person. Your art immortalizes you too you know - that picture will be passed through countless generations. Its one of the things I'd grab if there's a fire. I'm framing a copy for my parents too.

[fishenthusiast]

Melody, I am sooo glad you finally got your portrait. Fishykisses told me about it a year ago and I couldn't wait for you to get it. I knew how much it means to receive something so special. I am so sorry you lost David, he must have been so very special to be called back so early in life.

I, too, have been fortunate enough to receive portraits from fishykisses. After not seeing her for um.........6 years I think, I found her through www.classmates.com (http://www.classmates.com). I was so excited to have finally found her I bought a membership to get her email. Turns out I just should have phoned her parents, that would have been free! Anyway, I sent her pictures of my daughter and when I went to see her for the first time she presented me with a portrait of my daughter that looked so much like the original photo I almost started crying.

I have since received another portrait and both are proudly displayed in my living room. Fishykisses, I know how much you agonized over Mel's picture. It's awesome!

[Melody]

Not only do I have the two boys together, but that's the only 'normal' picture I have of David. I display his photos just as proudly, but its sad that he never got to have a normal baby life for the most part. The artistic rendition is how I picture him waiting for me - no tubes, no pain, just a regular little baby who will be happy to see me when I go home. :smile:

The love for the task at hand is there - I would have long since given up even if I had that talent. Now if I can just talk her into getting those talents of hers online.... ;) .

Its great that you found each other again. The only people I've heard from through there are men who are in my past because they belong there....lol....that's an exageration. I did find one girlfriend from high school on there.... and my Step Brother but I already knew where he was :laugh: . Most of my old classmates stayed in small-townhood New Brunswick, so they wouldn't be difficult to track down.

[fishykisses]

Appreciation is more than any $$ amount! If everyone i do my art for was so appreciative i would never take a break...it gets me excited to keep going.
The first portrait i did was of the little girl i was a nanny for - it was stuck to the childs wall with tape and then put in a drawer. I didn't do another portrait for a long time.
What do you mean about getting my art online?
I just had the courage to give the portrait i did of my best friend who past away a couple years ago to her mom last week, she was so pleased...i feel blessed to be able to make a person happy.

[Melody]

You have multi-talents that I'd like to see online - like your beading. Are you still doing that?

[fishykisses]

yup sure am, my website is up actually
www.remembermebeads.ca (http://www.remembermebeads.ca)

[Melody]

That's great! You should have the link in your sig file. I promptly listed you (http://www.canadiansinternet.com/shopping/animals-pets.html):D .

[fishykisses]

Thank you Mel!!!
You have no idea what a help advertising is for us - it's the biggest struggle to get our name out there.

[Melody]

I would have done it a long time ago - you can't be shy when marketing! The worst they can say is 'no'.:smile: