MOM'S NORMAN ROCKWELL CHRISTMAS

NORMAN ROCKWELL
Tonight I am thinking of my Mom and how much she loved Norman Rockwell as an artist. Liking Norman Rockwell was important because my Mom did not often express interest in things like art or culture. I think I began thinking about this since Christmas is so near.  I live by the King of Prussia Mall in Pennsylvania and right now, this holiday season they are having an exhibit of Norman Rockwell's art at the mall.  How awesome is that?  It is as if my Mom is still stirring around and letting me know in little ways that she is telling me that she is still with me. Seeing that there is this exhibition is reminding me of a story I would like to share with you about my Mom and a Norman Rockwell book.

NORMAN ROCKWELL EXHIBIT AT KING OF PRUSSIA MALL

Last year when my Mom was at my house for the holidays, I had decided I wanted to get her a book of Norman Rockwell's art.  I didn't want to get a book that was too large because Mom did not have the ability to focus too long on reading or looking at the pictures.  It was possibly because of her illness.  Well, anyway I went into the book store Borders (I loved Borders) and I saw that there was no books that fit the features I was looking for, so I decided that I would not get a book after all.  Nevertheless, all day this idea of getting this book was in my mind and I could not get it out.  I wondered if it was because my Mom loved his work or just a plain ol' obsession?  I felt compelled to get this book for her.  This would be meaningful because my Mom could draw pictures of Santa Claus that looked so much like an old Norman Rockwell illustrations.  The thing that makes this so significant is that she would draw the pictures right out of her head without looking at any references. She just used her memory.  It's just awesome...  So, I was determined again that I was going to get her a book if it took all day.  I didn't tell my Mom what was on my mind because I wanted it to be a surprise.

MY MOMS DRAWING OF SANTA

Mom and I were going to go to Walmart to do some shopping and on the way I said to my Mom that I wanted to stop in this thrift shop to see what they had.  We had been there before and both loved it, so we decided to stop and take a peek inside.  We walked in and moved around the store in different directions.  I was walking toward the wall to see what they had in the way of books, specifically Norman Rockwell's book.   I felt drawn to this specific wall. As I approached the wall, I grazed over the books.  From the corner of my eye what did I see?   I looked down on to the shelf and staring at me, bright and bold as can be  and perched up on a easel was this book, CHRISTMAS WITH NORMAN ROCKWELL!   It had a big illustration image of Santa on the cover just like my Mom's drawings.  I thought I was imagining it.  Not only was it a Norman Rockwell book, but it was a Christmas edition!  What are the chances of this happening?  It was almost in mint condition with the dust jacket still on it.   It was a thin book with only 80 pages too!  I knew at that moment that this was suppose to happen exactly as it had.  I purchased the book and hid it in my bag.

On Christmas Eve I gave the Norman Rockwell book to my Mom.  When she saw it she seemed mildly excited and interested.  It now in retrospect was a very poignant moment because she was very sick with Cancer and we did not know it.  So, she looked at the book, however she did not show the enthusiasm that she normally would have had if she was not ill.  This, however, does not take away from this intense story of the book and how I stumbled on it.  It was meant to be and there was some message to be told.  Now when ever I see anything Norman Rockwell, I think so deeply about my Mom.  I see her spirit in his illustrations.   I believe that the exhibit that they are having at the mall is my Mom's way of letting me know she is still with me in spirit and that she is giving me ways to see her nature in ways that she could not do when she was living.  I also believe that the book was right where I found it to help me know more about my Mom as a woman and maybe as an artist?   So, tonight my heart is sad as I think about missing my Mom and the story of how I found the Norman Rockwell book for her.   I am approaching the holidays with a heavy heart and trying to think of all the positive things about my Mom and remembering her when she was happy.  Tonight, I will think about my Mom and know that she is right in step with me, as I live on.

I love you, Mom

Loren