Fly over Families (for Brennis)

As we all know, the poor central part of our nation has been labeled “fly over” country because it is considered unimportant in many ways to those who shape our American Image. Well here is some advice for those people…you ought to look out the window a bit more and realize that what actually forms the foundation of our spirit is deeply rooted and going nowhere. As I come upon the one year anniversary of Snarky Art…the Studio at 2^nd April Galerie, the essay I was going to write is not the one you are going to get because life has a way of not following any guidelines.  I thought I was joining a business and instead I joined a family.

My own family as legally defined is a pretty small tree and probably more along the lines of a shrub. As I sat at our gallery meeting last night, it dawned on me that I am now part of a garden full of exotic plants and funky weeds each one unique yet rooted in a common soil. These crazy, clever and creative people have become the family I never knew. Some I see all the time like siblings, others come and go like cousins and a few pass through now and then with gossip about the other branches. So where am I going with this?  Well, the farmer who tends to all of us is not in the barn.

Once the news was spread that Brennis Booth (gallery owner) was in the hospital, the flyover family mentality kicked in with astonishing speed. The wagons have been circled and the troops have been rallied. Within hours, lists have been made, groups have been formed, fund-raisers started and business plans put into place.  Prayers are being offered along with a volunteer to clean the gallery restrooms which seems to pretty much cover a lot of bases. Even yours truly learned to work the cash register. Only a true family would act so swiftly and efficiently to care for another person and the people he loves. I consider myself blessed to be among them.

Brennis and Todd are amazing people who truly have no idea just how big a footprint they have within our local community. While they work on being well, the garden will continue to flourish. The gallery will be central command to organize events and collect supplies. A plan for monetary donations is in the works as prayers and grace only go so far.  Hearts can be physically mended but what lies within in them can only be put there by God and then tended to by others. Let us all join our spiritual hands in prayer to wish good health and quick healing for Brennis and Todd.