Great South Bay

There once was a little blue-eyed girl who lived by the shore, collected sea shells,

caught hundreds of Blue Crabs,

 and watched sailboats float lazily by on the Great South Bay. 

Now that I'm older, and that place is a memory that is getting more distant as the 

years fly by, what it formed and left in me is an extreme love for the water, 

one that is deep in the caverns of my soul. 

When I look at this painting, rightly named Great South Bay,

I am home. 

A few years ago, I was blessed to take a very special trip back with my family and my dad 

to the place that is so dear to my heart.

My life on 3 Donald Court East was a beautiful one. 

 I was surrounded by boats, sea grass, salty air and my family. 

I snapped this picture on my trip back to Long Island.  This was the beach that was steps from my home, where I would spend hours everyday.  It's a bit more overgrown with sea grass now, but the beauty of that special spot is still evident.  

 I found this photo in a pile of old photos, one that I didn't even realize I had, and was captivated by the beauty of the sun, the snow, and the amazing color of the peach sky.  

Even in the cold of winter, this place was magical.

This was home.  The place I felt safe, warm, happy.  It was the place where those that loved me from the start, engulfed me in cocoon of love.  

I love this photo of me and my mom.  She is quite the beauty if I do say so myself.

Me and my mom lived with my grandparents on Long Island, 

in that little red house by the sea.

It was the perfect blend of wonderful people and the "Pearl of the South Shore".

My cat Purple, was my best friend, but not more than my grandpa, Tord.

He was my hero, the man in my life, and the one who showed me his love and, the

love of Jesus.  He taught me how to swim, bought me my first bike, and my first Bible.

I loved this man more that words can say.

I moved from my beloved grandparents home when I was young, but did get to make the trip back each year, to stay the whole summer long. I lived for those warm months, taking me back to my roots, my family, and to the sea.  

I stumbled upon a book at our local thrift store, one that is fondly displayed in my 

art studio.  That Little Golden Book spoke volumes to me about my life

and how everything that went into it, was from Him...and was good.

I am grateful that I now I live by a lake in North Carolina.

I walk our dog every morning in our neighborhood, getting 

to see the water.  Some days it's calm, like my heart. Other days

it is is choppy with white caps forming.  Every state that it's in, 

reminds me and pulls me back to those days living on the Great South Bay.

It invokes those memories of my youth, and other than God himself, centers me like nothing else.


 I know this is why so much of my work 

revolves around the sea and all it holds.

Great South Bay will greet you when you enter my home,

and stays deep in my heart forever.