These are personal pieces and the letter to my nephews, Michael and Lucas, inspired by our Christmas trip to Europe in 2017. It was M&L's first trip out of the country when Michael was seven and Lucas was six. We had such a lovely time that I decided to paint the first painting in 2018 and the second one in 2023. The below letter/poem to M&L to capture some of the activities and places we visited as a little reminder for the future.
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Monet Encounter I (2018)
Monet Encounter II (2023)
FOR MICHAEL AND LUCAS
Remember the days
Christmas in Europe December 2017
Three countries
Eight museums
Endless bonding time on
Countless bus and train rides
Journeyed through beautiful countries
And so many firsts
Remember the days
Germany, Frankfurt, Stadel museum
Your first Monet encounter
With the audio guide in hands
You listened attentively
Then eagerly expressed your view
On to the friendship between Matisse and Bonnard
Had your first sip of cappuccino at the museum café
First sip of mulled wine at the Christmas Market
Hot
Fragrant,
Warming your heart on that cold day
Many sausages
Irresistible chimney cake
We got lost
But eventually arrived to
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Historical the medieval town
So picturesque
Through the Staufer Castle
Up the old forge
By the whimsical toy store
Ended your day in another Christmas market
In the square
You played in the snow
By the station
Then on the train we went
Remember the days
Switzerland
Another Christmas market this time in Zurich
More diversity
More play in the snow
Your first cheese fondue in Geneva
And three museums
The Red Cross
Patek Phillip
Porcelains
A scenic walk around the United Nation
Then a peaceful train ride back
After an eventful day
Remember the days
You said goodbye to the lovely apartment in Zurich
On to a train ride through Lake Comos
Watching the snow coming down
One night in
Florence
Skipping in the piazza
Acquiring art from a street artist
Sitting on your dad’s lap at Ufizi
Taking in more art
Do you remember?
Christmas eve dinner by the Duomo
A magical place at nightfall
A rare sight with only a few
A quiet restaurant and a bottle of wine
We celebrated
Staying up late
Chatting about life
Playing games, having random thoughts
Exchanging simple gifts with joy
That was more than enough
Remember the days
Birthplace of the real Ninjas
Michalangelo, Donatello, Raphael, De Vinci
You would walk along the Arno River on Christmas day
Taking in the stillness
As night fell we made a stop at a church
with its door opened inviting a rest
There you approached a humble manger
Sang along
Away in a Manger,
No crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus
Carried us to a magical place
Where time was an illusion
Love was all we felt
Remember the days
When you would stay in line at the Vatican Musee
In the rain but it couldn’t be more perfect
You took in the raindrops
from the umbrella
Walked halls to halls
Rested in the Sistine Chapel
Learning the significance
You asked about The Thinker
The Pope’s apartment
Then jolly down the Bramante staircase
Remember the days
As our trip came to an end
You asked
If I knew the best part of the trip?
Visiting the museums, you said
Melting my heart that day
Still melting moons later
I’ll forever cherish
Years from now
Decades from now
When you believe life comes in full circle
And decide to visit these places again
You may find them familiar
The scent
The sound
The connection
Know that we all share this space on earth
Believe in our interconnectedness
No matter where you go
Until then I’m grateful for
This time with you
In our shared humanity
Bac Manh (What M&L call me)