Yesterday I participated, along with a friend, in a local arts and craft show. Knowing that today was the 21rst anniversary of 9/11 I brought along all of my patriotic, military and First Responder artwork that I had prepared. Throughout the day many people commented on how thankful they were that I had remembered what this weekend represented and said that my artwork of the flag, the First Responders and of our military was beautiful.
As an artist, I can only tell you that receiving those comments I felt both appreciative and humbled. Not to mention that once people connect with you about a piece of art that you have created and are moved by it enough to tell you that it is both beautiful and they are thankful you created it…well that is enough to pack up and go home. My work there was finished.
However, I stayed and managed to sell some of my prints, magnets and a couple of paintings. One painting added below, was of a firefighter looking up in the sky seeing a cross a midst a huge cloud of dust and the number 2977 appears on the cross. I painted this last year around this same time for the 20th anniversary of 9/11. I would also like to mention that this painting along with several others, is now part of the 9/11 museum’s online art gallery. Words cannot express how proud I am to be a part of this moving world wide tribute.
At the art show a woman came by three times to look at hold and almost to the point of tears tell me the painting was so beautiful and that she was so moved that I remembered what this weekend represented. She also said that the painting so honored all of us and those that we needed to remember. Well I can tell you I really did not know what to say to her I just kept thanking her for her kind words and I told her that how could anyone forget that day.
Later, on the third visit, she did finally buy the painting again telling me how much it meant to her. Then while holding it she saw the numbers in the cross and put her hand to her chest and said that remembering to add the number 2977 was what moved her the most! I was floored and speechless! She left with the painting and as an artist I cannot stress this enough that if something you create has that affect on only one other person it is the greatest feeling! That one exchange with that one person made me realize how important it is to share the gifts that we have with each other even if it means only one person experiences the same feelings as you do.
Thinking about it today on 9/11 makes me feel humbled that something I created affected another human being and that for the people that passed by our booth reminded them of the day to Never Forget. If I had sold nothing else all day that one sale and the interaction with that woman would have made the entire day so greatly worth the effort.
Never forget those that perished that dreadful day. Remember to honor our First Responders each day for the selfless effort and at times the ultimate sacrifice they make each and every day. And remember this on 9/12 our country remembered how we are one united together as AMERICANS. A melting pot of all types of people from all over the world with different cultures, traditions, backgrounds… but in the end we are all first and foremost a United country of Americans!
NEVER FORGET
Kim Lentz
klentz designs 
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