Tall Woman Standing

OK - This is a TOP SECRET project that my friend Ann and I are working on - BUT I need to recruit some much needed help.

After last Thanksgiving I called Ann in California and we have been brainstorming about a very special painting for Gram - to be presented to her this Thanksgiving. I love Ann's style of painting and the sketches I have seen her draw over the years and I knew that she was the perfect woman for the job, most of all, because of her special connection with Gram. They met at our wedding and Grammy always asks about her when I talk with her, since she knows what a big part of my life she has been since I met her 7 years ago. And the same goes for Ann, she always asks me how Gram is doing when I talk with her.

Here are some of the sketches she has sent me so far:








We are narrowing down the sketches so that Ann can make the final painting, BUT we are in need of some help with a QUOTE that I would like to include. I thought it would be neat to make it a Native American type quote since she has a very tender spot for the plight of the American Indian and their teachings, since she spent some time in the west when she was younger on a reservation in Arizona (Fort Defiance) bringing much needed medical care to the natives living in remote areas near Fort Defiance.

I was brainstorming with Mom one night and she had some great words to use: Roots & family (Grammy is all about Family), both have ties to the trees that will be a main focus of the painting (which will represent all of us - her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, in-laws and friends who have been touched in some way by Gram)...and of course the water (symbolizing Grand Lake and her love for nature).

Here is a cool idea that Ann had for a quote. This is part of a song that she sings with her kids (she is a school teacher): "Round and round we go, we hold each other's hands and weave our lives in a circle. The day has come, the dance has begun." This one gives me chills and it might be the final quote - but maybe there is something we can tweak in this one to make it even more personal or a different quote altogether.

So, email me or leave a comment with your suggestions over the next day or two, as Ann will need to get this done in the next two weeks and send it to me before I leave Montana on Nov 20th.

Oh, one more thing, the title of this entry, "Tall Woman Standing" is a name that Grammy was given by her daughters. They get together for special weekends (and even trips to Montana, and New Mexico) at least once a year (if not more) for an overnight and one of the times they got together - they gave each other Indian names. Gram's is "Tall Woman Standing", and I want that to be a part of the quote, if possible.

Thank you, and lots of love, Elizabeth

shhhhh....don't tell Gram