Celebrating with my mom and three of my siblings. I’m the one on the left with the bowl haircut. We are raising glasses of juice for her birthday.

Earlier in the fall I received a request.

A friend asked me to paint a bluebird surrounded by apple blossoms for her mother, who was undergoing treatment for cancer. There was urgency because her mother was at a pivotal point in her treatments.

My own mother loved birds. Many of my childhood hours were spent in forests and fields with her and my siblings in search of interesting avian species. They were observing and cataloging scientific data. I was observing and cataloging pattern, color and form. Thanks to Mom, we were all immersed in the wonder of nature.

My friend’s request reminded me of two very different heart-stopping moments. During one, the intensity of ephemeral beauty overwhelmed me.

Many years before, in the fullness of spring I saw  a flash of blue as I passed by an orchard on the way to work. I stopped. Swooping through the branches was a spot of color on wings, a bluebird. Fragrant white blossoms created a lacy pattern in the spring air, stitched together by the flight of the bird. An unforgettable moment.

Bluebird, acrylic on canvas, 14″ x 11″ ©lizamyers

Just a few months before another sort of emotional, heart-stopping experience had pulled my life to an abrupt halt. My mother had passed away from cancer, far too young. She would have appreciated the bluebird, both as a scientist and as a lover of color and form and wonder.

When my friend to ask me to paint a bluebird for her mother I was honored.

I know that she doesn’t mind that it was for my mother too.