A very sensitive piece called "Grief"

Out of my series I have portrayed what I have seen as a parent whether it be joy, intensity, purpose, honor and now with great sensitivity, "Grief".  This is an emotional piece portraying Lcpl Tony Robertson, Nathan McCormick, and Branden Sprat at Lcpl Gabe Rainey's burial service.  This is also about relationships our sons developed out there in Afghanistan and the families who grew stronger in the midst sharing the loss of  their hero.  

As parents we got to know each other in the 3/6 Battalion very well.  I will never forget meeting Penny Riley on facebook and we wrote back and forth often.  She was an anxious mom worried about her son Gabe.  Penny did not hear from Gabe in the first phase of their mission, whereas, other would report that we had a call from their marine.  That phone contact was vital to us as parents.  For a moment in time on that satellite phone, even with constant delays while trying to communicate and listen to their voices beyond the wind whistling around our sons, there was a great peace we shared.  For a moment in time all was okay in Afghanistan and here in the USA.  

Penny needed to hear his voice and after reading many posts stating miss my marine and she was only getting, We are praying for you.  He'll call soon.  Hang in there Penny", I finally fired back a post.  "Wait a minute!  We are marine parents.  We raised these guys and Gabe needs to call home.  The next time one of your sons calls, tell them they need to get a message to Gabe to call home!"  I couldn't imagine the anxiety I would feel if it were my son not calling."  Very shortly after that post Gabe called his mom.  The relief was a resounding Ahhhhh!  Being a "Marine Momma" is a very new thing in my family and many of us military parents, having their son in harms way is very uncharted water in our experiences.     

Last July, I went away for a few days to the Adirondacks to paint.  When I came back I opened facebook to find Penny's profile photo had changed to a flag draped box being carried off a transport by Marines in Cammi's.  The post read, "There goes my hero, I just wanted to jump over the barriers and run."  My heart sank as I said, "No Penny, No.  Not Gabe." as I read the posts stating, "Penny, so sorry...So sorry...Our prayers are with you."  During the days and weeks that followed we watched the funeral, burial service, memorials and the purple heart award ceremony.  In the back of the minds of us parents were, "This could happen and this is what it looks like to loose a son, a marine, a hero.  What was happening to our sons out there in Afghanistan when they lost one of their friends?  Our hearts grieved with them."

Forest told me during one of those calls about the bond they had for each other.  They would fiercely defend with everything they had to keep each other safe.  Even with their very lives.  So America wake up and understand these men will face even death itself to serve and protect you.  If that brings tears to your eyes then I have conveyed with all respect what is truly in their warrior hearts "...for the land of the free and the home of the brave." 

Thank you my heroes for your sacrifice and the families that surround you and will support you always with our hearts. 

The emotion is evident in their faces; brave hearts breaking.  Notice, if you will Tony with his purple heart, leaning on a cane, evident of his heroism and to be present here, a testament to his fallen brother.  As parents we all cried with them.  Their grief became ours.  Never forget how precious life is and those who died to protect your freedom. 

This is an oil painting using watersoluble oils.  Because it is difficult to look at "Grief", I will not travel until it is complete.     As with all of the paintings and prints sold, 10% will go to the Wounded Warriors.