Sunset

A few nights ago it was that moment in the evening where the light rays are their longest just before the sun dips below the horizon.  From where I was walking I had this amazing view of the open sky sunset.

The stadium lights were just warming up and not on full power yet.

The air was clear and still, and for whatever reason everything sounded more...just more.

Clouds were soft and filter-y, covering the whole sky in flat patches.

As the long rays of the sun turned the clouds from golden to a deep shade of red I thought of my high school art teacher.

He taught me so many things.

This post is about one of the greatest things he taught me.

He loved to paint landscapes and sunsets.  When he was in his groove he could start out painting with his right hand and cross the brush over to his left as he painted across the canvas.  I always thought that was sooo cool.

His favorite color was Alizarin Crimson.  He said it was in every good sunset and there was no other color like it.

That night the sky filled with Alizarin Crimson as those long light rays kissed the clouds.

I walked in silence and reflected on my life since art class.  I wondered if he would be proud of the work I have done, of the person I've become and then almost instantly I knew that judgement was not his to make.

I am proud of me, my many faults included.  I've owned my life.  I haven't been perfect, but I've worked and toiled and diligently tried to make my life good.

And it is.

Long after the sun had set, J came down to the bleachers after his practice.  I thought I would pass him by and let him have his moment without his mother hovering over him.  I just kept walking.

'Hi Mamma!' I heard him say.

It warmed my heart.  As I rounded the track and listened to the scrub-scrub noise of my shoes I realized I'm in a good place.  That awkward girl in art class has gotten many of the things she wished so much for when she was young and lost.

Alizarin Crimson is still a beautiful color.