To Art Friends everywhere! The original of this painting, WINTER GIFTS, was “adopted” by some great friends and very prolific art collectors years ago and still resides in a lovely home in Taos. The street in this painting is the main street in Truchas — I walked to the post office from my little adobe house every day and still keep the memories of that special time and place very close. The woman is the memory I’ve kept of my little Polish grandmother, Aniela— she carried a shopping bag with her everywhere — those were her “gifts” her “surprises”. The words of Fra Giovanni never fail to inspire and uplift – especially at this time of the year. From my heart I wish each and every one of you all the best of this holiday season — Hug someone special today! Sincere best wishes, Donna – Taos, New Mexico 2023
“There is nothing I can give you which you have not;
But there is much, very much that while I cannot give it,
you can take.
No heaven can come to us unless our hearts
find rest in today. TAKE HEAVEN.
No peace lies in the future which is not hidden
in this present moment. TAKE PEACE.
The gloom of the world is but a shadow.
Behind it, yet within reach is joy.
There is a radiance and glory in the darkness, could we but see,
and to see we have only to look. I BESEECH YOU TO LOOK.
Life is so generous a giver, but we, judging its gifts by
their covering, cast them away as ugly, or heavy or hard.
Remove the covering, and you will find beneath it
a living splendor, woven of love, by wisdom with power.
Welcome it, grasp it, and you touch the angel’s hand that
brings it to you. Everything we call a trial, a sorrow, or
a duty, believe me that angel’s hand is there; the gift is there,
and the wonder of an overshadowing presence.
Our joys, too, be not content with them as joys.
They, too, conceal diviner gifts.
And so, at this time, I greet you.
Not quite as the world sends greetings, but with
profound esteem and with the prayer that for you now and
forever, the day breaks, and the shadows flee away.”
Fra Giovanni, 1513 AD
