Julie McDonald Commentary: Paint and Sip Ends 2022, Giant Cheese Ball Drop Rings in 2023
By Julie McDonald / For The Chronicle
When my adult children return home for the holidays, I drop everything to focus on spending time with them.
I remember hearing so often from older people as I raised my son and daughter that I should treasure the time with them because it flies by fast.
Now I find myself saying the same thing to frazzled parents of toddlers; they’ll miss those days when they look back on them.
During our nighttime prayers, I always asked God to let my husband and I live long enough to see our children grow up, graduate from college, start careers and begin families of their own. My son has launched his career and married; my daughter graduates in May and marries in August. Thank you, God!
Friday night found us gathered again at the Morgan Arts Centre in Toledo, but this time our crew of painters reached 14, ranging in age from 11 to 95 as we celebrated the birthday of Chehalis Rosie the Riveter Doris Bier with a cake by Penny Mauel. Crowded around the tables in front of easels with me were my son and daughter, my daughter’s fiancé and her friend, my stepdaughter and three stepgrandchildren, two of my sisters, my nephew and his girlfriend, Edna Fund and Bier, with Ed Fund watching.
Di Morgan welcomed us to the center and provided helpful tips as we painted pets in snow … or whatever version of that we wished. I needed all the help I could obtain as I lathered paint on the canvas as well as my fingers, hands and arms.
“Art events are such a wonderful way to relax and take a break for a couple of hours,” said our instructor, Sue Wachter of Centralia. “Seeing people develop a painting is always inspiring regardless of their artistic background.”
“Doing that as family time was really special,” said my stepdaughter, Amanda Reeder of Woodland.
“I’ve found a new hobby,” Bier said as she painted while celebrating her 95th birthday. She proves we’re never too old to take up…
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