A Good Thing

by David R. Darrow 7" x 5" (17.78cm x 12.7cm)
Oil on Belgian Linen Panel SOLD Collection of Linda Ferszt
Houston, TX – USA

About This Painting

There is a person in our lives — my wife and I — who has had it rough. Some people just have it rough, and he is one of them. Abandoned by his parent, cared for by relatives. Shuffled here and there, in and out of trouble.

We've heard his stories of life in jail, or extended periods in prison.

He just makes some bad choices from time to time—and gets caught. And pays the price.

But we enjoy his company. We love him, and when he wants to come by, we welcome him in our home, because we trust him. He's a gentle soul. He just has a little problem with authority.

Several months back, he called and asked if he could come by. He had a present for my wife. We told him sure, and asked when he'd be around. "Oh... in a couple of hours, I think."

He drove about 80 miles just to drop off a rooted rose stem wrapped in wet newspapers and a plastic baggie to keep it damp. He knew Teresa liked gardening and that she cared for her roses. He thought she'd like this one.

He was emphatic and repetitive about how we needed to get it into soil as soon as we can, and keep it in the shade, and keep it watered.

Teresa planted it in a pot the next day and found place for it in the shade. Over the next few days, the leaves wilted and it looked like it wasn't going to make it.

But we both took care of it, looking each day for any signs of life. Eventually it took, stared to sprout leaf buds, then branches and just recently its first flower bud. And this season it finally produced its first bloom. To our delight, the first rose was just perfect. Dark red petals made of the finest velvet.

I decided to paint it because of what it meant to us. A reminder to us that he is a precious soul, loved by God. And for us, he did "A Good Thing."

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