Happy Birthday Jimmie!

July 9, 2009

Happy Birthday Jimmie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today is my uncle Jimmie’s special birthday! Therefore, I will share today’s addition with thoughts about him. Wow, now where to start? In general, the most interesting thing about Jimmie for me is that he was never living in Indiana when I was alive, but his presence was never doubted. In his early 20s, my uncle moved away to the great state of Alaska where he had remained until just a few years ago when he and his family moved to Washington State. During these times that my grandparents or family visited “Jimmie in Alaska”, (as he was to be known throughout my childhood), they would bring back native Alaska art, beautiful pictures, and stories of their great adventures. Wherever he came back to visit his family in Indianapolis, the sun seemed to shine endlessly. My uncle has an amazing ability to make people happy wherever they are in life. Perhaps he has negotiated some deals with kind or evil spirits, but his powers are practically supernatural.

Perhaps it all began with his artistic touch. From early in life, Jimmie was known as a bright student and a gifted artist. For someone like Evelyn, this was a supreme gift. Jimmie was able to graduate early from high school and began a life of artistry. He still engages in a variety of art, but he is now a public school elementary teacher and also quite successful as a teacher. He is also married to an equally radiant, (perhaps a bit more then he), lady and together they have a shinning sun, I mean son. Jimmie paints, photographs, sketches, installs, and has even made ice sculptures. Art seems as endless as words when it is in his hands.

The walls of my grandparent’s house adorned Jimmie’s artwork. I loved his giant canvas of swirling hues in blue and white. As a child, it evoked images of fear and I imagined that they were deranged whales about to devour me. It was impossible for me to take a nap comfortably on the sofa underneath this painting. Many sickly hours were spent imagining my horrific demise in the odd shaped whale creatures. My fears of this painting lessened with age and it became more bearable.

It was only a few years ago that my uncle released the secret nature of the painting to me. It was just an oversized painting of a deflated inner tube that was found at a dump. In an instant the monsters of my childhood burst in slow motion into a pathetic piece of unwanted rubber. It was no wonder that my grandparents didn’t mind having their bible study classes in the midst of such art.

My uncle also completed a portrait of my aunt Annette that gives her an intense glow. Then, of course, there was a painting of Evelyn and Ralph that was revealed at a “birthday party” for everyone celebrating their birthday in Texas around the time of my uncle Michael and aunt Julie’s wedding. This is actually a drawing done in oil pastels. It pictures my grandparents beautifully. Before my grandparent’s 50th anniversary, I made a picture based off of a similar photograph to make a card for them. My grandfather was very easy to draw with his sharp facial features. However, Evelyn became more of a challenge. Jimmie was able to explain how her softer features are more difficult to capture. His inspiration kept me content with the picture even though it still looked like my grandfather holding a blob with glasses.

The first thing that my grandmother wanted to do this morning was to call Jimmie. We were together with the call, and even when I was talking to him and his family, she kept glowing. I notice this same glow whenever she talks about or considers her family. So much of her day is still lost in the financial market or daily routine habits. Thoughts of her family give her the ultimate satisfaction in life and it is obvious whenever we talk about anyone familiar to her. Even though I have been living outside of the country for the last four years and barely able to see Evelyn, our greetings heed the same love and affection. Perhaps it is this same love and affection that also keeps Jimmie so close with everyone that he meets. No matter where he has lived or how far he may be, his love for his family and his ultimate love for the world gives us a daily light and subtle chuckle.