The River of Seasons was created in tribute originally to my father, but I have come to realize that actually it is a tribute to all of those people that so generously share their experiences in life with others.  Whether they are parents, grandparents, teachers, siblings, someone volunteering, you know who you are, I'd like to say thank you, and please continue.  Eventually those that you are sharing with will realize just how much you gave them.  It took me almost 50 years, and the loss of one of my heroes before I really had a clue just how much he had given to me.

I started The River of Seasons during the last weeks of my dad's life, while I was staring at my parent's house under the guise of helping out.  In reality, my dad was teaching me how to live.  Winter River was the first cutting I did, it seemed to me to show how I was feeling in those last days of dad's life.  Dad shared with us the great peace he felt, and the incredible beauty in the joy he had in looking back over his life and coming to the conclusion that if given the opportunity to do it all over again, he wouldn't change a thing.  Because once he made a decision he did the best job he could and that meant that he was a success.  He did admit that there might be a decision or two that he might change - but in reality it's not the decision that's important, it's what you do once the decision is made that determines success.

It took me almost a year before I did Spring River.  Actually, it was inspired by the words from a song by Moya McGinn Mathews called "In Sighs Too Deep for Words".  I realized that I was indeed moving forward and the image of spring and new buds on the trees, partnered with her words "in the emptiness between each breath our hearts and souls begin to awaken... in sighs too deeps for words".  was a good description of the direction I was headed.

Summer River is a depiction of the realization that although dad is no longer a living part of my life, he is with me every step I take and every decision I make.  Helping me to do the best job I can with whatever choice I make.  The lush green, full trees with the warm river meandering through are an attempt to show the contentment and peace that comes the that realization.

Fall River was the last cutting I did, and it was done because one of the things that was repeated to me over and over throughout the years was don't stop until you've completed the job!  So, with the beautiful colors of Autumn, I salute you Dad, and all of you out there in the world teaching other the things you have learned simply by living.