Beyond

The passing of someone we love is always hard, especially when that person passes before their expected time. This particular person was a dearly loved son, brother, husband, father, friend and more. He is so cherished by many.

I’m sure the memories of this dear man will live on in many hearts. He lived a beautiful life. The main memories I have of him was as a school friend. We both played in the concert band and Jazz band. I always admired his skill in music. He was an amazing flautist. He always had confidence, intelligence and a smile to go with it. Yet also, a quietness and respect of people and the world around him. 

This painting is a dedication to him, his life and to his family. It is an intuitive painting. I saw three things I wanted to paint, the first being coral, that had heads like the keys of a flute, a water fall and a male Huia bird. Each hold meaning which I will try my best to relay. Firstly the water fall is symbolising life, the undying love for his family, the water is ever flowing. The Huia, is a symbol of him, unique, prestigious and passing before his time. The coral, a symbol of his marriage to his wife and his love of the ocean and the pearls are his two children.

There are two Baha'i quotes that this painting reminded me of…Firstly a marriage prayer that seeing and painting the coral reminded me of:

"Wherefore, wed Thou in the heaven of Thy mercy these two birds of the nest of Thy love, and make them the means of attracting perpetual grace; that from the union of these two seas of love a wave of tenderness may surge and cast the pearls of pure and goodly issue on the shore of life…O Thou kind Lord! Make Thou this marriage to bring forth coral and pearls. Thou art verily the All-Powerful, the Most Great, the Ever-Forgiving." `Abdu’l-Bahá' 

And about our spirit/soul:

"If the body undergoes a change, the spirit need not be touched. When you break a glass on which the sun shines, the glass is broken, but the sun still shines! If a cage containing a bird is destroyed, the bird is unharmed! If a lamp is broken, the flame can still burn bright! The same thing applies to the spirit of man. Though death destroy his body, it has no power over his spirit - this is eternal, everlasting, both birthless and deathless." `Abdu’l-Bahá' 

At times during my healing work, I have the honour of working with ones who have passed. Sometimes I get a message to pass on. His simply was, He was pleading to live, he never wanted to leave his family. He is embracing you all, and loves you so much.