Today would have been my son Donnavon's 33rd birthday, so my BJP square this month is all about him.
Donnavon's favorite color was purple, which always seemed a bit disconcerting to me, as he usually wore dark colors, jeans, carharts and so on. But I do remember that at his junior prom he rented and proudly wore a purple tux! His birthstone was the amethyst; maybe that had something to do with his favorite color choice. Scattered throughout the beadwork on this square are faceted amethyst rondelles.
Donnavon was an avid fisherman and he was very good at it, even as a young boy. I remember one camping trip to the Russian River on the Kenai. There were a dozen or so adult men on the river bank; no one was catching much of anything as we approached. Donnavon threw in his line and almost immediately pulled out a salmon. The men scowled and I'm sure thought 'beginner's luck.' In no time Donnavon had caught his limit; disgusted, the unsuccessful adult men wandered away, hoping for a change in luck upon return. So, Donnavon and his brother spent some time swimming in the river and harvesting hooks/lures that had been lost by other fisherman! The red hook on this square was hand-tied by Donnavon, a special rig that he swore by.
Today family, friends and relatives will celebrate his birthday with a get-together featuring favorite foods: lasagna, shoyu chicken, rainbow-chip birthday cake, and cookies 'n cream ice cream. Donnavon didn't care for vegetables, except fresh ones, so there will be a big green salad also. Donnavon would have loved it!
Jeanette Shanigan
10 comments:
I am sure he will be looking down on your gathering with a smile! What a beautiful page for him.
This is an intense and moving body of work. You are doing this project in the best possible way. My heart moves.
Lovely tribute, Jeanette -- I bet he would have loved seeing his hook used in such a beautiful and loving way.
Kathy V in NM
What a wonderful tribute to you Son Donnavon. To have loved the color purple he must have had soul filled with love and wonder. But when I read what the red hook was, I felt tears come to my eyes for you. Enjoy this day with your family & friends in the celebrations of Donnavon.
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I hope your celebration of Donnavon's birthday was a good one. Your tribute to him is wonderful.
What a lovely page for your son's memory and a very cool picture of him. I hope your day was lovely with your family and you felt his presence with you.
The classic picture of Donovan is in this panel. He is smiling gloriously behind his "catch" of the day. The purple background is dramatic and poignant
Your love and pain speaks volumes in this piece.
Mike Ann
Holding onto your memories, celebrating Donnavon's birthday and telling stories about him keep his spirit alive. I feel honored to know him through your BJP beading and posts. Big hugs, Robin A.
What a beautiful project auntie, and lovely journal entries. Reading your thoughts comforts me too. Thank you
A lovely and thoughtful piece, with a moving story. I hope you got over your son's birthday well, with caring people around you.
Sabine
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