Aiden

Aiden in the bigger picture

• Pastel Drawing
• 18″ x 14″
• In a private collection

Not yet one, this little guy has one hand on his home planet and a Monarch butterfly balanced on the other. The sun, our moon, the planets and the milky way surround Aiden. The background is deep space. On his shirt are Bison and butterfly milkweed, symbols of his prairie roots and the sun sits over his heart.

Remembering Kaden

 

Kaden

 

Kaden’s life was a short four years. The grief that his friends and family felt when he died was palpable. The brief life of this little boy created such a depth of feeling in those who knew him that one couldn’t help but sense and be moved by it. I offered to create a drawing. The parents decided that some of Kaden’s happiest moments were when he was being pulled in his wagon by a fellow “Yellow Jacket” classmate. Sesame Street’s Elmo, a smiling, hugable, exuberant character, was a favorite buddy. I created an Elmo image on his shirt that could be flying or reaching for a hug; the things that Kaden might like to do if his body had served him better. There’s a hint of the Kansas yellow brick road.

The family invited me to the dedication of the drawing at Sunnyside Elementary School in Olathe, KS. A large group of Kaden’s family, teachers, classmates and friends stood round as Grandpa Rick unveiled the drawing. There was a soft exclamatory sound and the tears welled, remembering Kaden and feeling the loss.