A Belated Gift

Better late than never

If it’s me, there must be an event coming up, ne c’est-pas? This weekend all the siblings are coming to have an adults weekend and to be here when I finally give my husband his anniversary gift from last year: a portrait of himself.

If the portrait seems a little unusual, I should point out that there’s a family tradition of portraits on his side of the family. It started out with a great-great grandfather, whose son-in-law was the Philadelphia portraitist, Robert Susan. We have that painting—desperately in need of cleaning, long story¹—in the living room. Then, several decades ago, another relative did a portrait of my late father-in-law. It’s visible in many of the dog-on-couch photos I post here.

The family calls him Boris.

The portrait of Jay G. Sykes is on the right. The new portrait will go where Patrick Henry is, on the left.

So, last year, when we were celebrating our 25th anniversary, I was looking for something memorable and significant as a gift to my husband. It’s hard, you know? He gave me a lovely anniversary ring. But he’s not a jewelry kind of guy, and I’ve already given him several watches. He doesn’t use special pens. And I couldn’t afford a sports car. But there’s a highly-regarded local artist whom I’ve known since she was a teenager, and I thought it might be cool to have her paint his portrait; something to add to the family tradition, and for the kids to have someday.

The artist is very busy, and paintings don’t happen overnight, so it is only now finished, just in time for our 26th anniversary next week. The fact of it isn’t a surprise—I had to let him know I hadn’t forgotten to get him something—but the painting itself will be unveiled on Saturday, with the artist coming to the house to deliver it, and joining us for the evening.

This will be the first time we’ve had a just adult event for all the siblings and spouses—all except the French partner who is home caring for a certain white Swiss Shepherd (another em dash. Take that, A.I.)—so it will be a celebration with nine people in the house at once, including the operatives from the French Invasion.

I am trying to keep it casual, which is not my default setting. But, as has often been noted in the fashion world, looking effortless requires a great deal of, well, effort. I am reminding myself not to get too crazed. Today, because it is still insanely hot, the lake is still a no-go zone, and now the wildfire smoke from Minnesota and Ontario has reached us, I will be taking my two fashion-loving French grandsons shopping. Tomorrow, perhaps, I will be a bit crazed.

Apparently, I like that sort of thing.

”And all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”~Julian of Norwich

These posts are about finding the beauty in daily life, even amid the craziness, uncertainty, and anxiety. Reality is not going away, but these are the only days we get, so we have to relish their small beauties while we have them. If you are a paid subscriber, please know how deeply grateful I am for your support. The kindness and enthusiasm of your comments buoy me and keep me writing, but the paid subscriptions are an extra vote of confidence I truly appreciate. These posts will always be free, however, so if all you can do is share, that is helpful, too. Whatever you decide, I’m glad you’re here.

And now for your gratuitous dog video:

1. We were all set to bring the painting in person to a conservator in Minneapolis last February. Then the ICE raids began, and it seemed stupid to be driving around up there in the midst of all of that. As I was hesitating about going, the conservator postponed the meeting herself.