Traditions

Benjamin’s first seven years: Original Art by Cheryl Moreno

Traditions sneak up on you in a way . . . . .

I have an artist friend, Cheryl Moreno. Her father was an accomplished fine artist and she too went on to notoriety as a commercial graphic artist. However, in the backdrop of her personal life, Cheryl pursued fine art painting with love and passion, but never publicly or for display. For years, I’ve encouraged her to share her passion and amazing talent. When I was pregnant with my first child, she painted my belly with a Jack-O-Lantern at Halloween and when my boys were small, she painted dreamy air balloons on the walls of their bedroom. Later when the room was converted into my office, we cut out the paintings, sheet rock and all, saving each one as a framed fine art piece. Every year, in December, my boys share their birthday month with Cheryl and her own daughter. When they were much younger, she painted and stitched tiny quilting squares, one for each new year of their growth. Look closely at how sweet, each one reveals the number of the birthday year! One day, I will put them together in a framed “quilt.” They remind me of the beauty of tradition and long-standing friendships.

Cooper’s first nine years: Original Art by Cheryl Moreno