« Previous | Main | Next »

Artist's (Birthday) Mood

March 16, 2005

ph_mar_keeBday.jpg

Marc Chagall, one of my favorite artists, created this painting Birthday in 1915.

I think it's a wonderful piece with it's whimsical form and color... but It's a little bit odd, isn't it? I mean, why is the guy floating in the air? And, what's the deal with his head being twisted around that way? At first, I thought, "Ah.. two lovers, and it's her birthday.. they're floating on air!" But, if it's her birthday, why isn't she dressed in happier colors? Why does she look like she's on her way to a funeral?

I remember my art history teacher explaining that the scene depicts a woman in love with a man who has passed away. She's remembering and celebrating his birthday while his spirit – or memory – floats lovingly around her.

How lovely. How appropriate. Celebration and mourning... today I turn 40.

I'll admit, I am mourning the passing of another decade of my life, but I'm so thankful for surviving it as well. I'm not sure how this 40 thing happened. No. Not sure at all. Certainly, I am wiser than I was at 30 and now when I look in the mirror I see serveral silver strands dancing in a wreathe around my head, but even on my worst day I think of myself as being not a day over 32. I wonder, how did the years fly by so fast? Why does the span of a year seem to diminish as time marches on?

I must admit, that as I gaze hopefully through the archway of the future, there is a part of me that is sadly waving good-bye to the past. Waving good-bye to the knees that didn't pop when I stood up, waving good-bye to the "old" me... the woman on the verge of making a million mistakes... the woman who was about to embark on the decade of learning the hard way. Wait a minute... maybe the NEW me will be a better version of the OLD me? I like to think of it this way. We are not getting older... we are only getting newer with each passing day.

Happy Birthday to ME!

Posted by vincent at March 16, 2005 12:12 AM

Comments

Eeeeee! Happy Birthday! I hope it was grand — I'm submitting this comment on west-coast time, so your birthday is pretty nearly over, but I hope you did some serious celebrating.

And I LOVE that painting.

Posted by: Jen at March 15, 2005 11:48 PM

Welcome to the club. I'm 43, which seems impossible to me. But it's true.

Posted by: real live preacher at March 16, 2005 10:20 AM

Happy Birthday Susan!! And remember, whether or not your knees pop and crack it's not the number of years we have lived that determine our age but the attitude with which we live them-and you are no where near being 40.

Posted by: Andrea at March 16, 2005 11:54 AM

I'm 45...perish the thought. (With toddlers, even. Oy.) You're still just a young'n! Enjoy your day, Q:)

Posted by: Tamara at March 16, 2005 03:31 PM

HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY! Bestest wishes for a great New Year! (January 1st is just a social new year - this is the real New Year. Sort of a fiscal year of the soul.) Despite the day-to-day this or thats, it sounds like you're off to a great start! Your head is clear — literally and figuratively ;) — your heart is open, and your soul is free. Enjoy it all! :)

P.S. I'm 44 — glad you could join us!

Posted by: socks at March 17, 2005 08:32 AM

A very happy belated birthday. "We are not getting older... we are only getting newer with each passing day." I love that. I understand exactly how you feel.
Terry 41

Posted by: Terry murphy at March 18, 2005 04:30 AM

I love that Chagall picture! I have it in my bedroom, and even though it seems that the man has passed on, it still fills me with so much love. That there is connection with the other side.

Happy belated birthday!

Posted by: Dee at March 20, 2005 04:49 PM

I am more than 50 now. An old man and so much more still to do.

Posted by: bill at March 21, 2005 09:00 AM

I'm finally home and hoping you're celebrating birthday week (as everyone should). Much love and happiness sent your way.

Posted by: joy at March 21, 2005 11:53 PM

Hi Susan, I'm coming here from Gordon's (Real Live Preacher) Blog. He gave you a great recommendation, which I've found not to be hyperbole. I'm sending you somewhat belated birthday greetings...I hope your 41st year is super!

Actually, now that I think about it, I too have a decennial natal celebration approaching this year. I've got to tell you that I do not handle these (the birthdays celebrating years ending in Zero) well at all. The last one I actually enjoyed was my twentieth. You have to understand that I am a product of the Sixties (oh God...there it is...that word...), so, when I turned 30, it was traumatic. I mean, I was crossing the line: I was becoming one of THEM...no longer a young "us".

When I turned forty, I was depressed for a week. But then I got over it, and the rest of the decade was actually quite enjoyable (for the most part). Then I hit my half-centennial anniversary: I was depressed for a month. But then life went on and I pretty much forgot about the years. Until this year. This year is another major turning point. I can no longer pretend that I'm prematurely gray, and that the sags will go away if I lose a little weight. No, this year I'm staring into the antechamber of...senior citizen age. Gaaah.

Anyhow, take heart in that you are still young, vivacious and that your best years are actually still before you. Enjoy life...and know that you've gained another reader and, who knows, even a friend. (BTW, I have a daughter who is an artist. I find that I do enjoy the company of creative people...)

Peace.

Posted by: Jim at March 22, 2005 09:18 AM

Belated greetings, Susan...am the nth person who got directed to you from Real Live Preacher!
You must be taking a lot of your time to reach out to people with your images and quotes and blogs...you make a difference...of that you can be sure...God bless you

Posted by: john at March 23, 2005 09:33 PM

beautiful voice- visual and verbal (written;)
happy birthday, late. just found your blog. i love being 42...even turning 40 was terrific. so much wasted worries water under the bridge and really enjoying life! dive in!

Posted by: susie at March 28, 2005 10:53 PM