Front L to R: Scrooge, The Ghost of Christmas Past, and the Ghost of Christmas Future. In the back is the Ghost of Christmas Present.
The big downer for me in the last 18 months was that my NUMBER ONE Toy Soldier fan, my Mom, passed away. The same woman that said I could not purchase anymore toy soldiers when I was eleven, was the one that encouraged me the most in my hobby (critical thinking, leadership, manual dexterity, staying out of fights with my brothers, etc.). What was equally disheartening, was, since I was in a high risk job (I have since retired), I could not be there. Fortunately my brothers were able to be there when she passed away and be their for my Dad.
A recent photo of my mom; or as the grandchildren referred to her: Gramzilla!
At Christmas time I would paint miniatures or tree decorations or pewter for her as her gift. She asked me, when I saw her in February before she died, that she wanted me to share some of her favorites on my blog. So that is what I am doing.
The Ghost of Christmas Past. I took some liberties with the painting as opposed to the description by Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol.
My mom started out her professional career as a Physical Education Teacher (I wonder why all of her boys ran, wrestled, played baseball, etc.?) and then moved on to English Literature. I never knew anyone who knew so much about Dickens, Sherlock Holmes, and with the exception of Daughter-in-Law #1 (The Doctor), Shakespeare.
Scrooge then made bold to inquire what business brought it there. “Your welfare!” said the ghost. Scrooge expressed himself much obliged, but could not help thinking that a night of unbroken rest would have been more conducive to that end. The Spirit must have heard him thinking, for it said immediately: “Your reclamation, then. Take heed!”
It was clothed in one simple deep green robe, or mantle, bordered with white fur. This garment hung so loosely upon the figure that its capacious breast was bare, as if disdaining to be warded or concealed by any artifice…. Its dark brown curls were long and free; free as its genial face, its sparkling eye, its open hand, its cheery voice, its unconstrained demeanor, and its joyful air.… “You have never seen the like of me before?” exclaimed the Spirit.
If you never have read A Christmas Carol, please do. I recently re-read it for this posting and it is a beautiful story of redemption and sacrifice. Plus that Mr. Dickens could write!
This just shows that what the enemy meant for evil, God can turn it around for good! If He did it before, He can do it again.
If we look at what is happening around us with this pandemic, it has done nothing but spread fear, anxiety, restlessness, and hopelessness. Though it may look like darkness is all around, Christ's light will shine brighter in this time. We have the victory in Jesus' name. We can call upon the name of the Lord for healing. We can plea the blood of Jesus over our families, friends, our nation and the nations around the world affected by this virus. For there is power in the blood of Jesus; there is power in His name. I believe it, do you?
Next: More figures!
Sorry to read about your mum and the fact that you were unable to be there. The Ghost figures are great - who makes them?
ReplyDeleteYou can them from Brigade Games at https://www.brigadegames.com/Victorian_c_424.html.
DeleteNeil
Amen to all you have said. I am a Christian Aussie who loves painting toy soldiers. I have followed your blog for many years, taking inspiration and encouragement from your fantastic work and your words. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteWill do Brother.
DeleteNeil
My sympathies for your loss; your mom looks pretty "young" (and pretty) in that photo; I lost my mother a little over a week ago myself.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that and my sympathies to you and your family. That picture was taken about two years ago when she was 78 or 79. That's what you get when your mom was a cheerleader, played field hockey and lacrosse and taught Special Education, Physical Education and English!
DeleteNeil