56 - GUARDIAN ANGEL

GUARDIAN ANGEL

10 x 13 ¾ inches

(Oakland, Nebraska hospital 1925-1950

Inadequate in comparison to today’s modern hospitals, this simple nine-room house served as the area hospital for 25 years, a necessary refuge for this rural community. When Mother was only eight months pregnant with me, she became gravely ill. In her typical independent manner, she drove herself to the Oakland hospital so Dad could stay on task with harvesting. As Mother lovingly shared my birth story, her voice softened.

The whole delivery room was completely filled with light. A beautiful angel in a white flowing robe hovered above until I was born.

After hearing the touching circumstances of my premature birth, I changed the painting of the Oakland hospital: now a contrasting dark background surrounds the glowing presence of this house for emphasis. How comforting that the warm Light of a loving angel guided the beginning of my life.