The End Of Innocence.

I love painting Adam and Eve.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe because it's the beginning of our story.  Maybe because it's our first documented story of 'good vs. evil' and what happens thereafter.  And anyone who knows me well knows via my obsession with 'Star Wars' that I LOVE a good vs. evil story.  And I never get enough of Star Wars because I know the outcome.  I know the end of the story.  And it's really good!!

And that is why I love painting Adam and Eve.  It's how it all happened.  How we lost our innocence.  It's the explanation.  Why things are the way they are.  And I'm that annoying person who needs an explanation for everything.

But....Why a snake?  Were they the most innocent and trustworthy of all animals at one time?  Who would listen to a snake in this day and age.....you know....if one could actually talk?  Perhaps it was beautiful and graceful and glorious.  But of course, aren't all the things we give our hearts to beautiful to us?  Or at least we believe they are things that will make our lives better or more exciting?

What was it about Eve that enticed Adam to follow her down a path he knew was wrong?  Extreme love?  Seduction?  What is it that entices me to choose what I choose?  What exactly are those promises I'm chasing?

And do I take responsibility for those who follow me?  My husband...my kids.  It's so easy to believe that our choices....good or bad.....affect only us.  Nothing could be less true.

What will my choices reflect today?  Who will my choices affect today?

Adam and Eve remind me that choices matter.  And there is always a choice.  And my choices never affect only me.  And painting these two figures in the garden, reminds me of how powerful my choices really are.

Luckilly, like Star Wars, I know the end of this story, too.  I don't want to spoil it for you.....but if you've seen Star Wars as many times as I have (the original 3, naturally)....you can probably guess what it is (okay.....I'm using that example very loosely!!)

Let's make our choices matter today.  Let's make our story matter.  Let's have a GREAT ending to our story.