Sylvia Outlaw original art and more

Short Story:

The last days before death.

Janie was finally bringing her beloved husband home from the hospital. The doctor's had questioned and explained in detail the stressful, strenuous and demanding nature of a husband dying. The doctor's did not sugar coat this issue, therefore Janie knew it would be the end. Janie had promised many years ago that if it were within her power she would respect her husband's wishes to die at home and not in a nursing home or hospital.
Janie had faithfully spent each day at the hospital through three weeks of tests, operation and removal of the horrid fast growing cancer in his brain. Never once did he forget who she was and how much they had lived and loved for one another. Theirs had been a love faithful and true for all nineteen years. Their anniversary had been only a week prior to his admission to the hospital and the discovery of this deadly tumor.
Every evening after leaving the hospital Janie would paint ceilings, wash walls, scrub carpets and floors in preparation for her husbands return home. Several times during the few quiet moments they would share between tests and relatives visiting, he would mention some thing that she had worked on the previous night instead of sleeping. Janie often felt his presence even though she was alone in their home. This was some thing Janie didn't understand but for years they had talked about being able to will yourself some where and actually feel as if you were there.
When a person is so close to death some thing happens and they can see and talk to people as if they were alive or in the room. Janie's husband often did this after he was home. The hospice head nurse and chaplain had explained these occurrences to Janie. He would often speak to his Mother and Father. For his Mother it was always a loving smile. For his Father it was to be forgiven for not taking proper care of the milk cow one hot summer day. Janie's husband had told her of this incident, where at age sixteen he decided he was a man and didn't have to do as his Father asked. He soon discovered that he wasn't quite as grown up as he felt he was.
Janie had been told by the chaplain that if she knew what the circumstances which lead to these questions that it was fine to reassure her husband that he was forgiven. Often after each of these sessions He would go limp and almost lifeless.
One such incident caught Janie by surprise. It was three days before his death that Janie witnessed one such frightening occurrence. Janie had been told by the nurse that she would have to administer an enema at seven thirty the next morning. Janie admitted that she had never before given an enema to anyone. The nurse went over each step with Janie that evening before she left. The next morning by phone, as promised the nurse assured Janie that she could do this task.
Janie drew a deep breath and explained to her husband that she had to do this task. He smiled and gave her a kiss and helpfully posed himself in the proper position. Janie reassured her husband, as well as herself, and slowly with gentle pressure began the painful enema. Janie's husband cried a mournful sob and in a voice she did not recognize he stated, "Stop this pain, I say stop it now. All you have ever done is to cause me pain." Once again he called out his ex-wife's name and stated, "You will never cause me pain again for I damn you to hell now." Janie removed the empty enema bottle, pulled the protective sheet over her husband's back side and on trembling legs she attempted to stand. Janie walked to the side of the bed for her husband lay still and to Janie, lifeless. Janie collapsed to her knees and gently placed her fingers on her husband's wrist. Tears came from nowhere. Janie felt the loving touch of her husband's hand against her cheek. He was smiling his little boy impish smile that Janie loved so very much and asked for a kiss. It was at that moment that Janie realized she had not been blamed for the pain administered moments before.
The nurse arrived moments later as did the chaplain. They both could see that Janie was visibly shaken. The nurse made an excuse for Janie and the chaplain to leave the room. It was hard to relive that moment but the chaplain reassured Janie all was well.
Two days later Janie was alone with her husband. Relatives, nurses and friends had been in and out most of the day. Janie stood by her husband's bedside and talked gently as he lay there smiling. They had started the morphine about twelve hours earlier. In a slurred but loving voice Janie's husband asked for a kiss good night. Upon receiving his kiss he said, "I love you Janie." Janie's palm of her hand lay against his and he smiled drew a deep breath and sighed. Janie's fingers felt the life race from her beloved husband's body.

New poem based on a dream.
Dreams:

Are they the future?

Awakening alone in the bright moonlight,
For me the dream was a very vivid fright.
The faceless man once again rescued me,
When, may I ask, will his face I see?
His kiss was tender, gentle and sweet,
How long will this happen, before we meet?
Will I forever deny and be unaware,
When he always waits patiently there?
The thunder still rolls through the night,
Yet in his arms protected there is no fright.
Always the same this dream tortures me,
Wondering wanting what life holds for me.
Do dreams offer warnings or some times cheer,
Why must this persist and make me fear?
His face I feel is hidden from me,
Yet I am not able to distinguish or see.
Is it me so afraid, to once again be loved,
For the stars point to him sent from above.

The Silver Hawk is the bird of dreams!

Your Silver Hawk flies through the air
To be by your side to know I'll always care.
Your heart is heavy your burden extreme
To lighten your load you must take time to dream.

We feel our love grow though we are miles apart
Our love is strong and always in our heart.
I feel your sadness and long to be near
To comfort, to love and drive away fear.

Angels watch over Him, so young and sweet
Our prayers will be answered in just a heart beat.
I know you believe in God's holy love
Hold tightly and pray to him up above.

Newest poem which I believe writing is an art too!!
The morning arose cold, damp and dreary,

Shivering, shaken my eyes were quite teary.

It is spring and the flowers should be in bloom,

I must get away from this terrible gloom.

I drove for awhile, no special place in mind,

Then I came upon wisteria hanging on a vine.

Cherry, plum and forsythia trees I now see,

Around the next bend, what nature waits for me.

Oh, there he is standing, he doesn't take wing,

Proud, prehistoric, graceful he looks like a king.

In the canal the great white egret stands so sweet,

A big smile crosses and my heart skips a beat.

He turns facing me with his great wedding veil,

Displaying proudly. Oh what a beautiful male.

Diamond shaped patterns glisten in the sun,

Does he know? My heart he truly has won.

Ah competition, a new female for his mate,

I know they will enjoy their very first date.

With them my heart takes flight in the sky blue,

With wings spread wide my love comes to you.

April 2009 By: Sylvia Outlaw

My newest effort, "Place of Serenity" was completed on Jan. 29, 2009. I believe this would be a lovely place for a valentines day picnic. So get your sweetheart and enjoy a romantic valentines day!

I have just finished a new painting, "Faded Memories" which is all that is left on the farm I grew up on in Michigan. The new painting is in my bio section.
My latest effort "Place of Serenity" was completed Jan. 29, 2009 and is 16x20 acrylic. I do believe it would be a lovely place for a valentines day picnic. I wish all a very romantic day!

I also just completed a new poem based on the moon and planets that are so visible in the early evening sky.
Check out my recently published content on AC:

Romantic Sky

My heart and soul goes into each and every painting. I have been asked by many, "What is your style?" I can only reply, "My own unique style."

I do not copy the old style, modern or old masters. I paint what I see in my dreams or what nature presents to me.

I thank God for the creative powers He has instilled in me, and the original way He has allowed the paintings to flow from me.

I am now selling Giclee Prints and have a set of three ready. They are "My one and only", "Flaps down" and "Ahh Autumn". The set is $900.00 or $350.00 each 12x16 unframed. They can be seen at:  http://www.compueasy.com/calviaart

I just finished a new wood etching on a keepsake box. It was for a lady in New Jersey. Trixie should be in her new home by now.
You can check out the different phases of Trixie on my blog.
http://sylviaoutlawcalviaart.blogspot.com
I also have "Widgets" for my writing on Helium listed, If you would like a "Widget" grab one for your site, too!!
I have recently joined a couple social clubs that both offer places to show your art. http://www.eons.com and this one pays you and you join free http:r.yuwie.com/calviaart

I have recently started writing articles on helium. Here are the links to a couple of those stories.

http://www.helium.com/tm/668879/father-hunting-fishing-guide

http://www.helium.com/tm/662611/artists-gathering-amount-where

One is about my father-in-law taming a wild rabbit, and the other is why I feel I have art in heaven.