Wonderful energy

Tonight, painting class resumes from our holiday break. I can't wait. I've missed painting. I've missed my students. Something warm and wonderful happens when we assemble together to paint. I don't know exactly what it is, so I can't describe it correctly, but an energy circles among us. A wonderful, creative, exciting, invigorating energy. You can feel it in the room. I've painted in this same space many times alone. This energy is not present. But place a group of willing painters here and instantly the aura changes.

I'm going to need that today.

My oldest son, Ben, is moving away tomorrow. Its difficult to think of anything else. He just graduated from RIT and has found a job in Denver. Colorado is a far cry from Maine. Its a strange feeling to be on one hand so proud of his accomplishments and on the other hand heavy hearted. I know he will do well and we, as a family, will be fine. Still the feeling within me today is quite unlike any feeling I've felt before.

It will be a day of packing and hugging, tears and laughter.

On the bright side, Colorado will be a future destination. I've never visited there before. It will be a wonderful photographic opportunity that will culminate with future Susan Roux paintings of the landscape. Knowing that experience awaits makes me smile.

I think back of when I first moved away from home. How excited I was to go off on my own! I couldn't wait to decorate my first apartment. I couldn't wait to go start my life, make my own decisions and do exactly what I wanted to do.

How different this feels from the parents point of view.

So class, come tonight. Bring with you that wonderful energy. I'll be needing it...