Cartoon of a grandfather and grandson on a roller coaster.
I drew this for Illustration Friday. This week’s word is “perennial.”
When I heard the word, I thought about some people who may be up in years, but still love the amusement park rides. It’s always fun to see a senior citizen tackle a roller coaster. I also thought of the perennial summer traditions like county fairs and trips to amusement parks.
Sketch of a girl on a playground gesturing to be carried.
When I heard this week’s theme, I thought of the many times my daughter gestured to be carried when she was little. There is nothing that melted this dad’s heart more than to see those big eyes looking up at me with hands held high. It’s a combination of love, vulnerability and confidence that Dad would come through.
When we get older, we lose a little bit of that. Nobody wants to be vulnerable. In America, we all want to put on a facade that we are independent. But the best moments come when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable to the ones we love. I had to learn a little of that this week. It is one of the best, bittersweet lessons I’ve learned in recent memory.
I drew this for illustration friday. This week’s word is “gesture.”
Cartoon of a mom and a boy at a sundae. The boy says, “You just made all my dreams come true!”
What is it about food that says, “love?” I guess our very survival depends on food. When someone goes out of the way to give an extra-special treat, we get all ga-ga, especially if it’s our favorite. May you receive a special treat today, even as you give someone a treat.
Cartoon of a mom and a son. The mom says, “I don’t care if all the TV moms would let you do it. I won’t!”
Cartoon of a boy doing his homework and a mom. The boy says, “I wouldn’t have to do my homework if you’d just let me flee the state.”
