Growing up is worth it

Some days I really feel for my students going through the rough
transition from teenager to adult. It isn't always easy. Tonight after
a day of teaching, I had work to do and couldn't paint. Searching
through a very old notebook I found this little painting of a
fellow I dated when I was my students' age.

Watercolour sketch of a young man

He was the strong, silent type, and at the time I thought that
was what romance was all about. I married a strong man,
but he is comfortable with conversation and has a great sense
of humour. Living with someone who can't talk would be far
too lonely for someone like me. But as you can see the silent
boy made an excellent portrait subject.

My students talk about love a lot. They're trying to figure out
what it is. When I painted this portrait I thought it was about
finding someone handsome. Maybe that's not a bad start, but
it won't get you through raising kids, making dinner, watching
Jon Stewart, or juggling busy schedules. And don't get me started
on animals. My cat is fishing things out of the recycling basket
as we speak.

I hope that wherever the portrait boy is, he is happy. The last
time I saw him we definitely parted as friends. He had
a little boy and a wife, but I don't know where the story went
after that.

Flowers and kitchen china

It's hard to explain to teenagers that love is more than romance,
but that doesn't mean romance isn't important. We always
have flowers and candles in our house. It's just that we have
so much more.

Have a loving-your-present day.