A Portrait of the Artist as a Middle-aged Man, (my title), painted last year by my friend and student, Ho Pil Lee, and given to me as a gift. Thanks, Pil.
This is the day, when she was alive, I would call my mother and congratulate her on the birth of her first son. I was born on Labor Day, the same as everybody else really, and there should be a holiday for every woman who’s gone through it. And that’s besides Mothers Day.
Some years ago I decided not to make a big thing about any more birthdays. You can die from too many of them. Okay, I might celebrate those that end in a zero or a five. Then, if I get to 90, I’ll start celebrating them every six months!
But today’s ends in a “1.” I’m forever 21+50. How does that feel? So far, not that different . . . except unlike when I turned 21, today I’ll stay sober.
A birthday, to me, is something of a personal New Years. It’s a time to look back, and a time to look ahead. Of course, as time goes by there’s more to look back at than forward to. But still, forward is the better view.
When driving, the rear-view mirror is useful, but it’s the windshield that really matters.
I’ve made a new acquaintance lately, an art consultant and dealer. I was complimented when he was taken with mine, “both the quality and quantity.” As we talked he said, “What you need is a 20-year plan.” It’s the kind of idea I rise to, but as I thought about it, that should probably be adjusted to a ten-year plan. Or maybe five.
I get ideas. Often more in number than hours in a day, and grander than there are years to do them.
A couple of years ago I read a book about artists and their productivity in later life. I suppose it should be no surprise that I can’t remember its title or author, or where I put it. But just the concept inspires.
Not like the one I came across looking for the other, James Joyce’s A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Seems there should be a sequel to that one, substituting the word “old.”
James Joyce, of course, is dead. Too many birthdays.
This morning I found a note I’d scribbled to myself at a waking moment in the night:
These things are not forever–
But there are things that are.
Focus on them.
“Forever 71”—not. But “Forever Something.”
Happy Labor Day. (Thank your mother.)
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
11:26 am
Happy birthday, Hyatt! Have you started writing that sequel for James Joyce yet? :) Blessings!
11:45 am
Happy Birthday young friend!
I just unpacked your amazing painting the incredible bridge!
Great memories!
11:52 am
Wonderful thoughts on this aging process and our approach to it. As always you stir the pot, so to speak, and I’m grateful for your giftedness with words and pictures. :) Have a wonderful day of reflection and celebration. I will reach the 70+5 mark come November which is why this post of yours speaks loudly to me. :)
Blessings,
Judie
11:56 am
Happy Birthday Hyatt! Here’s one who celebrates 127 years today… she claims to have known Pancho Villa…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6EFfrG-8ZU
You have only 56 more years to catch up to her.
12:32 pm
Happy Birthday on this double meaning day.
Love the way you have with words and enjoy your thoughts.
I thought I would feel old at 70, but a bunch of years have gone since then and I feel about the same and am thankful for every one that passes and leaves me in good health with the Lord’s Blessings.
12:42 pm
Dear Hyatt and Anne too.
I am really getting a chuckle from your blog today!
In a few weeks it will be 81 for me.
I am also not interested in having too many
more of them….. :)
Another reason I wanted to write is that in one of Anne’s or
Allison’s messages about Vernon something was mentioned
about a way to donate to help with their expenses.
Would you please let me know how I can do that.
Love in Christ, Carolyn
Col. 2:2 KJV
1:26 pm
Thanks, Carolyn, and for your thoughts for Allison and Vernon. You can indeed contribute, right on line, though the blog site that’s updated daily about his progress. (It’s also an inspiring read.) There’s a way to donate, just follow the steps. It’s here:http://sansoxygen.com/
12:44 pm
Happy Birthday, Hyatt! Your words are always fresh and so alive, even after traveling all the way to Germany! Love the part of you that Ho Pil Lee captured in his painting.
12:48 pm
“Forever young,” as the song goes, to you on this Happy 71st, Hyatt. Apparently the master Artist isn’t finished with you yet!
1:11 pm
Perhaps you should write the sequel for James Joyce. Add that to your ever growing list of ideas! I love how you continue to dream, to be inspired, and to work really hard. Happy birthday!
1:32 pm
Thanks, Daughter. You inspire too.
1:17 pm
Happy blessed birthday!
Thinking of you today!
Love the self portrait!
Christine
1:29 pm
Happy Birthday, Hyatt! Enjoy the view.
3:48 pm
Happy Birthday Dad; great post today! I’m curious, if the analogy can be extended, what the windshield wipers in life are (or for that matter the bugs).
Love to you,
son (and happy Labor Day Mom!)
3:54 pm
Happy Birthday Hyatt!! Love your comment about “you can die from too many birthdays.” So funny! Loved this picture of you! What an artist this man is as well. Great! Have a blessed year! God bless you, Anne, and your family! Lisa
5:22 pm
Happy Birthday Hyatt!!!
Your labors produce such beauty and blessings:-)
We love your and Anne’s works in our new place!
Blessings back to you both,
Kathy and Mike
5:51 pm
The best of life, love, and the Lord’s grace over you my fellow September birthday friend, and mentor. Pil has captured your essence!
Love, and Blessings
Mary and Roger
6:17 pm
Happy Birthday, Hyatt! I wish you as many more as you and the good Lord would like! I’m sure they will be filled with beautiful art.
7:16 pm
Hyatt, Happy Birthday. You make 71 look good. It’s ironic that your mom was in labor on Labor Day and she produced a son that continues to live life to the fullest and encourages others to do so by example. If you do have a 5 year plan, you will produce 20 yrs of art within those years because you it flows from your brush so easily. Keep producing, there is much more art and wisdom in you.
7:59 pm
Happy birthday, Dad! A great post today, as every time it is when I read it, and most likely every time I don’t, as well. The last phrase, “Forever Something,” caught my brain. I believe that will be a good reflection for me on each birthday to come. I love you, and am thankful to be your daughter-in-law/love!
8:30 pm
Happy Birthday Hyatt!! I’m a new fan. Thanks for sharing your beautiful words and your beautiful artwork and your beautiful love for the Lord!! You are a blessing indeed! There is something about you that is simply genuine and very refreshing. Thank you!
8:54 pm
Happy birthday, Dad! I love and admire your energy and enthusiasm to live life to its fullest each and every day, not just waiting for something to happen, but being intentional about how you spend your time and talents. You are an inspiration in so many ways! I love you.
9:08 pm
Hello Hyatt, and Happy Birthday!
There are a lot of us celebrating You, and happy that our lives were touched by you!
Love and prayers for you and all of your family.
9:13 pm
Happy Birthday, Dad. So glad you were born. I’m thanking Grandma!
10:14 pm
Happy Birthday to you. Your life has given much inspiration to the world. Many more birthdays to you so that we may see your ideas come to pass. I vote for the 20 year plan as well.
1:19 am
Happy Birthday, Hyatt! And Happy Labor Day, Mrs. Moore! He’s a pretty neat guy.
3:38 am
Happiest of birthdays, Hyatt. We will never forget your visit (now, many, many birthdays ago) when we enjoyed the presence of your company as we sat on our balcony in Suriname, the tropical rain pelting the rusting tin roofs of our neighborhood, making even normal conversation a particular challenge. It wasn’t the words so much, but rather the effort that one has to put into getting to Suriname, that made your visit both unique and worthwhile. Our little twig, as we used to call ourselves, versus a branch, always treasured visits from the leadership, because we felt like we mattered in the larger world of Wycliffe. Now the work is done there and OTs continue to take shape under other leadership. Thanks for that and for the push our colleagues needed to complete the task. Someday birthdays will be no more and many will have joined the throng of the ages as a result.
5:51 am
Superb thought Hyatt. And a beautiful painting!
So good to read this. I learned something.
Pastor Adam Barton,
Akron, OH
8:38 am
Hope your birthday went well! Lots of nice comments here, all well-deserved. A friend of mine decided he was only going to celebrate “speed limit” birthdays which was his term for your own plan. Your posts continue to be more than just worth the time it takes to read them. Thank you!
10:04 am
Hyatt,
Have a wonderful year ahead!! Your student paints
so much like you……at first, I thought it was a self
portrait. Do you have that hanging up in your home?
How lovely to read something from Carolyn Lee….what
a long time ago those friendships were.
Barbara
11:27 am
Love this portrait of you – such a wonderful image of you: insightful and thoughtful. He really did you justice. Love the eyes.
Hope you had a wonderful birthday ~ and may you be granted many more. You still have a lot to do in this world, as you and Anne have touched so many lives.
Blessings to you both…
11:52 am
Happy Birthday Hyatt! Love the self portrait and words to live by! Thanks!
5:43 pm
WE are just 2 years apart in age. We enjoy your art and this Blank Slate as well. We are also keeping Vernon and Allison in our prayers.
Becky