Upon listening to a eulogy of a woman that I did not know up close, but knew from afar, I painted this piece during the season of Advent. I felt compelled to listen during that holy season of lights and snow, and Christmas trees lit up.

I was touched by how Jenny’s husband spoke of her, and the about the final moments of their life together. He talked about them sitting on the patio sharing stories and holding hands, and being so very tender with one another. As they went back inside, she crawled into her bed, and asked if her bags were packed. It seemed as though she knew she was about to pass through the thin veil that lies between earth and eternity.

Once Jason told her, “Yes, you’re packed, you’re ready”, Jenny slipped into her Father’s arms and beheld his face. I was so struck by the tenderness between these two people, the love, and the struggle of life that they somehow turned into something like a poem. I am grateful to experience a love like this of my own, and I can only pray that my husband and I become more and more tender, and loving, and sweet to one another until death do us part. An honoring eulogy is good for the soul, and easily puts all things in their proper place.

Grateful for Jenny Ballard, even from a distance.