Things Aren't Always What They Seem

Andrew Wyeth/1948
Christina's World


This painting depicts a woman lying on the ground in a treeless, mostly tawny field, looking up at and crawling towards a gray house on the horizon; a barn and various other small outbuildings are adjacent to the house.
 Christina suffered from polio, a muscular deterioration that paralyzed her lower body. Wyeth was inspired to create the painting when through a window from within the house he saw her crawling across a field. 

HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THAT?
This is one of my favorite paintings of ALL time, and mainly because of it's
inspiration.


Next time you see a kids screaming or crying in Target and the mother can't do anything to help him/her, maybe think about THIS painting.
Next time you see a pregnant teenager who is smoking, think back to this painting.
Next time you see someone spending money or going on a trip you don't think they should be, recall this painting. 


We only have glimpses into peoples lives; they have a whole prequel we don't know about. 



We only know the tip of the iceberg. We honestly have no idea
what someone might be going through. We honestly have no idea what kind of day someone might be having.

Things aren't always what they seem. If Wyeth hadn't seen Christina's wheelchair,
his mind would have gotten away with him. Asking such things like "What on earth is that woman doing crawling on the grass...what a weirdo!"

Just remember. . .

So next time we feel inclined to judge someone or someone's situation, let's remember this beautiful painting--the beauty that Wyeth saw, we all need to see. Because if we don't, ugliness will creep in our hearts. And love just doesn't do that folks.











Contemplating Beauty



I have my own button now!

Comments

Amy said…
Wow how amazing is that painting. I love the story behind it more thank you for the reminder.... We have no idea what people are really dealing with... It is easy to forget these simple things. You put it beautifully.
Lora said…
really inspiring post!! thank you so much.
Kyle Parish said…
oh my word, gina this is so great! "love is never ugly"...that is something i need printed on my forehead.
Anna said…
Your absolutely right about that! :) Love is never ugly!

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