"My Dad is an out of the box thinker," Aunt Dianne stated. We were all gathered around a table at a little diner in my families home town of Moapa Valley, scarcely a dot on the Nevada map. The Sculptor, who had come all the way from Italy to look at Grandpa's Purposed Project, was surrounded by anxious individuals, eager to hear the details and plans he had to fulfill the project. "That is a good thing," replied the Sculptor, "It is because of people like that that amazing projects become reality."
I listened to the conversation intently, still trying to wrap my head around the events that had transpired in just the last 2 weeks....
"Heidi! You made it! Does Grandpa know? He's really wanted to talk to you." I looked at my Aunt Vivian who had just welcomed my family and I as we entered the Church Cultural hall for our annual Lewis Family Christmas Party. I was trying to take in what she was saying and at the same time observing the table, which usually was heaping with delicious Pot Luck dishes, sitting nearly empty. "When did this party start?" I asked her. "Five O'clock" she answered. I sighed in frustration and looked at the bags of 60 homemade rolls I had been assigned to bring clenched in my sons hand. I was an hour late and everyone had already eaten. "I'm sorry" I said discouraged. She smiled, "It's alright, but has Grandpa seen you? He's been asking for you all evening." Now she had my full attention. "Grandpa is asking for me?" I admit I was a little surprised and curious. When you're one of 45 grand children, being singled out wasn't something that happened too often. I ventured into the room a little further only to be caught by another family member echoing the same announcement that Grandpa had something he needed to discuss with me. I scanned the room for Grandpa and spotted him seated on the front row of the Christmas Talent Program that was taking place in front of the room. My heart ached a little at the sight of him. To see him sitting without Grandma at his side seemed so wrong. What a hole she had left. But on the other hand I was so excited to see him. Not only because I was curious why he was asking for me but because of the Christmas gift I was holding in my hand, neatly and lovingly wrapped to give to him.
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Three months earlier my dear, sweet Grandmother, Lou Jeanne Lewis had passed away. At her funeral, as I held my Grandpa, he was so frail. Caring for her as she declined had taken such a tole on him. At 88 it had worn on him physically, mentally and most of all emotionally, but he did it so lovingly because to him, caring for her had been a great privilege. As she slowly declined Grandpa had taken care of even her most personal needs.
I looked into his eyes and words cannot begin to express the sorrow and pain they held. "Will you paint her for me?" he had asked me with trembling lips.
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I had completed the painting now and had it wrapped for Christmas. I was pleased with how it had turned out and was anxious but so so nervous for him to see it. The program ended and I slipped into the seat next to Grandpa. I gently placed a hand on his arm and he turned to see who it was. His face lit up, "Oh Heidi you made it! I have so wanted to talk to you." He suddenly looked very serious as he went on, "I have something of Great importance I want to discuss with you." "OK?" My curiosity was peaking at this point as Grandpa continued, "I have decided I want to do something special as a memorial for Grandma," tears sprang to his eyes. I looked at my Uncle Bob who was sitting close by, his eyes were also wet so of course tears began to well up in mine as well. "Therefore, I have hired a Sculptor from Italy to come and Sculpt a Bust of Lou Jeanne into a cliff on our Ranch and I would like to hire you to be his assistant." I momentarily went numb trying to absorb the information that had just been laid upon me. Once again I looked at my Uncle who could see my shocked expression. He smiled and gave a slight nod that I had heard correctly. "I need you to help him capture her." Grandpa went on to say, "The Sculptor has studied several pictures of Grandma and has sculpted a small clay model but it just is not right. I need you to help him CAPTURE her."
Still numb and at a loss for words I remembered the painting still clenched in my hand. "Grandpa," I said nervously, "I have the painting you asked me to do. You don't need to open it here, you can do it when you get home." He gently took the package from my hands and with shaking hands asked, "May I open it now?" I was so anxious for him to see it and so nervous at the same time. I took a deep breath and nodded. He laid the package across his lap and ever so gently slipped off the ribbon and then its wrapping. As the paper slipped from her face his tears flowed freely down his cheeks. Seventy two years she had been his sweetheart and her absence had left a gaping hole that no one could ever fill. He once again looked at me, " You captured her perfectly. This is what a need on the mountain", he choked on his words then added, "So what do you think? Will you help with the project?" I was completely overcome with mixed emotions, self doubt, unsurity and worry as I thought about by busy life and the fact that I had NEVER sculpted anything in my life except for maybe a small clay bowl for Mothers Day in Elementary school. But all I needed to do was help the sculpture CAPTURE Grandma. I could do that! So I swallowed my nerves and said "Of course I will Grandpa." I whispered, "It would be an honor."
So now, two weeks later, in the Muddy River Cafe, we eagerly listened to the Sculpture, Jason, go over the details of his plans with us. Oh how excited he was. This would be an amazing experience and opportunity for him as well as all of us. He was kind and personable, which was a relief to me. My cousin, Bonnie, had located him a few months earlier on line and after several weeks of plans and correspondence he was finally here to look things over and finalize plans.
By now, I had had a few weeks to wrap my head around what I would soon be taking part in. What a special experience this was all going to be and I was as anxious as everyone else to see this project through.
Since my visit with Grandpa, I had struggled to figure out how I was to assist this Sculptor in capturing Grandma. He being a Master of his trade and I being a simple painter still new to mine. He had already studied several pictures of Grandma at many different angles so for me to try and draw her for him wasn't going to help. I could look over the small sculpture he'd done and try to describe what was wrong and what needed changed but I knew that other family members had already done that. The only thing I could think of to do was to get my own box of sculpting clay and do my best to try and sculpt out her features for him. So he could see an actual 3-D rendition of her and all her features. But how embarrassing was that going to be! However I didn't know what else to do so; insecure or not, and not wanting to let Grandpa down, I was going to attempt to create a sculpture to present to a Master. I ordered the clay and set to work, and to my surprise, I really enjoyed it. Something about it just felt so natural to me and within a few hours I had something that actually did resemble Grandma, or at least I knew I had a few key features right.
As I nervously presented it to Jason, he studied it over and politely took notes of the features I felt were correct. My Aunt Dianne stood close by and said "Heidi you really did capture her." Grandpa stood from his chair and walked to where he could more closely examine it. He paused, turned to look at me with tears in his eyes and said "She looks just as she did the day we were riding my horse Daisy and I turned around to count her freckles and stole a kiss instead." At that he turned again to my sculpture, bent down, and gently kissed her lips.
We all parted our little meeting that day eager and ready to get to work.
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Nearly a month had passed since our meeting with Jason when I received a call from my brother, David, who worked for Grandpa. "We have a problem," he said, "Jason has sent Grandpa a new contract. He said the project is going to be bigger and more involved then he had originally thought when he gave Grandpa his previous estimate." He paused letting that sink in, "He sent his new estimates." He went on, "It is double what they had originally agreed on and he wants an open ended contract." My heart broke for Grandpa knowing what a blow this had to be for him. "Grandpa is so discouraged," he continued, "and feels uncomfortable with having an open ended contract. He's been giving the whole project second thoughts." I was shocked. Jason had never indicated that this might be the case when we met with him and the meeting had gone so well that this was completely unexpected. However we understood his reasons.
"Heidi?" my brother went on, "Grandpa feels you are capable of doing the project and wants me to ask you if you will do it?"
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Since this phone call I can't begin to tell you all the emotions I have experienced, MANY!!! But I will say it took them awhile to convince me that I could do this. My sweet husband of 23 years, Lane, has shook his head and worried and worried but in the end has given me his blessing and 100% support and with out that there is no possible way I could even attempt this project. I AM NOT A SCULPTOR!!! And now I and my family are going to take on a 30' bust sculpture of my Grandmother, Lou Jeanne Lewis, into a cliff of solid Limestone. I have no idea what I am exactly in for, other then it is going to be long and hard and I am certain will require allot of sweat and tears (I'm purposely leaving out the blood part. I must be optimistic!). But this much I do know I LOVE MY GRANDPARENTS and really want to make this happen for Grandpa. And also....I HAVE FAITH! With in each one of us lies great potential and it is never truly realized by always taking the easy road. It is only by reaching beyond ourselves and our personal, "comfort zones", that we can do things that are greater then ourselves. It is at moments like these that God can help us understand just how much we are capable of when we include him in our lives and plans. It is then that real growth can take place. It is by seizing opportunities created by "Out of the Box" thinkers, like Grandpa, that we can expand our minds, vision and capabilities. I believe that as I and my family take part in creating this Magnificent Memorial of our Magnificent Matriarch, God will be sculpting us.
Paul and Lou Jeanne Lewis, sweethearts 72 years, married 68.
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