The Flower Angel Wheel

My Mother passed unexpectedly from bone marrow cancer on March 28, 2020. Should I say we did not see the end coming? She would leave us so rapidly and be buried so soon. My Mother was a very vibrant and talented woman with all her faculties in order. She was a creative artist, poet, writer, playwright, Dancer, Singer, Author, and Producer. My Mother began to be genuinely involved with her creativity at the early age of 60’; this is when I noticed that she could really draw and paint.

To her, no matter what you thought, she saw the beauty in Everything- That was the way she was. Everything was so “Beauuuutiful!!!” As she would say.

Mom was so talented and a creative artist. She could draw beautiful portraits of life and people that came across her path. She would paint and draw people she had met Family, friends, and any person, character, or thing. Whenever you needed to talk, she listened. She always had a Cheer in her voice that you look forward to hearing. Now she may correct your grammar or two. But she had the voice of wisdom a heart of Gold. She was a Protector, a Provider, a Healer, and a Singer. Wow!! She could sing a song, a voice that would warm your heart and soul.

However, I do not recall her drawing any Angels that I am aware of.

One day while I was visiting my brother in Galveston. He had shown me a poster of this Angel that my Mom had a sketch with a pencil and carefully traced it with a pin. I knew immediately what I had to do. I needed to cherish this drawing and frame it in a way that I can remember her craft. My only thought was that she had a vision of an Angel while she was dealing with her pain before being diagnosed with the advanced stage of bone marrow cancer. According to the doctor’s she had time to think about the decisions that she would like to make for treatment. Of course, my Mother search for answers, second opinions, and no one knew the outcome but God and his Angels. I have often asked my Mother, are you ok during her quick but brief journey. She stated she was at peace, not knowing the outcome.

Mom’s body began to challenge her. When she stopped eating her favorite food, crab, shrimp, and gumbo, I knew that it was time to allow God.

My Mom fought hard to continue living. Mom said that God was not through with her yet! I believe because God knew that she had already prepared a path for her great legacy that we can pick up where she left off.

My Mother was spiritual, and I would like to believe this Angel passed by briefly as Mother would often do; she would get up and draw her dreams and visions.

I am much like my Mom and Father, very creative. I knew I had to make this a memorial picture for my Family to cherish. I used a frame, fabric, glue gun, pencil, iridescent white paint, and hard card stock for the frame backing, nails, wire, and hanging hooks. It took some scissors, needle and thread, and a little steam iron. My goal was not to take away her craft but to make a lasting sentimental expression of the experience that an Angel was passing by. The fabric accentuated the flower that looks like pinwheels. I painted the lashes, lips, and earrings that were accented to bring out the face of the Angel. I cut and stitched a curtain to look like a window with gold ribbons as a tie back. As my Mother would say, Awh She was so Angelical and Beauuuutiful!!!!. My Mom saw the Flower Wheel Angel Passed By.