"The Road Goes Ever On"

[wallace_trust]

This pic has a very special history.  It was done when the doctors last year said that my dear mother might have less than a week to live.  I painted her as Sam and myself as Frodo, standing together at the edge of eternity.  

There were so many strange feelings going through me when I was working furiously on this pic while Mom lay nearby, barely alive.  I alternated between working on the painting to ease my own tremendous stress, and lying on the foot of her bed with her, holding her legs as she suffered. The cancer had closed her throat almost completely, and if the proton beam therapy didn't work, she was going to die by strangulation. I remember repeatedly thinking that the picture should have a white ship, but if it had a white ship, she would surely sail on.

When the proton beam worked, they rang bells for her.  :)

(Story posted with Mom's permission)

Comments

[addie71]

That's lovely. I'm glad you mother is still here to give permission to post her story. *hugs*

[wallace_trust]

Thank you so much. I'm glad, too. :)

[baranduin]

*hugs*

Thank you so much and your dear mother for sharing your story and the beautiful picture you made.

What a dark night you both went through.

[wallace_trust]

Thank you, and you're welcome. *hugs back* :)

It was the darkest time we've been through together so far, but unfortunately not the only one. A close second was the car wreck years ago which broke many bones. The wreck and the airlift to the trauma center were terrifying, and the worst was when no one on the other end would give me any information on whether she was even dead or alive, although I was her own daughter. I ended up collapsing in the lobby.

Add in half a dozen other such incidents, and we've been through as much wear-and-tear as JRRT's characters any day! :P But also like them, we stick together and find ways to deal with it all! :)

[lbilover]

That's a very moving story and a beautiful painting. I'm so glad the therapy worked for your mom!!! *hugs*

[wallace_trust]

Thank you so much. *hugs back* :)

Proton Beam therapy is totally changing the cancer care landscape. It can completely obliterate very complex, inoperable cancers like Mom's, and with her, it had almost no side effects. She's going about her business today with no signs she was ever sick :)

[shirebound]

Oh my. *sniff* What a beautiful and loving painting for two souls reluctant to let go of one another. What a joy that the therapy worked for your mom!

working on the painting to ease my own tremendous stress

That's inspiring to me. *massive hugs*

[wallace_trust]

*Hugs you back* Thank you. :)

It was, and is, a tremendous joy. Proton Beam therapy is a true game-changer when it comes to cancer.

Painting is very relaxing to me, and makes good therapy.

[peripety]

I'm not sure what is more touching, the painting or the story that goes with it. Both are lovely and I'm so glad I can see the image this time and enjoy your talents :)

[wallace_trust]

Thank you so much for your kind words :)

BTW the 'Walkthrough' painting is now posted at AO3. You might be able to view it there.

[lavendertook]

An amazing story and beautiful pic-story. I am so glad you are still together. Thank goodness th therapy worked. *hugs*

I love the galaxies in the water.

[wallace_trust]

*hugs you back*

Thank you. I'm glad, too. :)

[febobe]

<3 <3

[wallace_trust]

:)