Sunday, May 17, 2009

A virtual birthday kiss


This is a quick pencil sketch I did of my father, James Lawson, who turns 83 today. I am sending him a big birthday kiss from Bali to San Francisco, 8,345 miles away.

This photo of my family, circa 1960, was taken in the living room of our California ranch house in the suburbs of San Francisco about 49 years ago—YIKES! My parents still live in that house and have for 53 years! That's my dad, a handsome 34 year old father of three. My mom, Jacqueline Lawson, is holding my brother James and Courtney is sitting between them. I am the one with the pixie haircut standing in the back—I am the oldest (In Bali my name would be Wayan). We are all in our Easter best heading off to hunt eggs at one of the grandparents house. Life was good.


This is my family today. We are scattered across the USA and abroad. A lot of water under the bridge for this group, but we are all still here. That's me in the middle.

Happy Birthday, dad. I love you.

7 comments:

Shirley said...

Jennifer - it is SO NICE to meet you "up close and personal." We read each others blogs faithfully, ooh and aah over the drawins and paintings, but rarely see photos. Thanks for sharing.

Kate (Cathy Johnson) said...

What a lovely vignette...and happy birthday to your dad! You did a lovely job and I know he'll like his "kiss"!

sue said...

Awwww--great photos, and I love your portrait of your dad, Jennifer! Happy Birthday to him. My own dad turns 85 in less than a month.

Jonathan said...

This is a lovely idea!

Question: How come your brother James looks so much older than you? ;)

Margaret Ann said...

Okay you've done it...tears down the face...simply lovely and touching! A beautiful gift! :)

Lydia Velarde said...

belated birthday wishes to your dad. It was great seeing your personal photos. Thank you for sharing them. you have a beautiful family..

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

sweet!
I came over here from Annelein's blog. It's so interesting that you are living in Bali and Maine!
Your watercolors are wonderful! Great drawing skills.