Free Derek Webb Music

More than one day

My dad and my brother, Christmas '05.

Five years ago I forgot to call my dad for his birthday. I called him the next day when I realized it but we never did really get around to talking about him and his birthday, instead we talked about the shock of what had happened the day before. And now, 5 years later, when my dad should be celebrating another wonderful and blessed year of life the rest of our country remembers the tragedy of the twin towers and the horrible loss experienced not only as a country, but for the entire world. My dad's birthday is September 11th. It sucks. Personally I can't think of any date worse today except to have been born 09.11.01. People that complain about a December/Christmas birthday generate a response of little sympathy from me, trust me, it could be SO much worse.

My dad has another 50-something birthday today but there will be little celebrating for it. It's just too strange, how do you celebrate on a day like today? How do you celebrate life while remembering the nearly 3000 lives that ended? But my dad is a unique person. Gentle, strong and compassionate with a great sense of humor. I will never forget the stories about how he acted surprised at a surprised birthday party when he knew all about it, raved about popsicle stick creations as though they were masterpiece sculptures, and studied the intricate details of Crayola cards with backward letters as though they expressed Hallmark sentimentality. Today he somehow honors the memory of thousands simply by having his birthday on the same day. He'll never upstage their deaths with his life but expresses great respect for them, those that loved them and our country choosing to celebrate is birthday in humble ways on other days and grateful for the beautiful days. Life isn't lived on just one day after all.



Happy Birthday Dad, I love you. I tried to post a picture but blogger wouldn't let me.

I tried to include a picture here from the newspaper in our area of what I was doing 5 years ago when I forgot to call my dad but I'll have to try to post it later. They sent it to me a few weeks ago to ask what was going through my head at the prayer vigil at my church, what I was doing now and how 09.11.01 changed my life. I didn't know what to say, the picture is of me praying, what more is there?

In The Wake

With my job at the gallery I see a lot of art, I mean, A LOT OF ART! Some of the art I run across is great, more is good and even more is terrible. This show is one that falls into the first category- great art. At first my impression was "OK, more abstract... I guess it's good" but over time and as I spent some time with the pieces I began to see that this was great art because of the stories living within each piece. If you or anyone you know was touched by either Katrina or Rita or any hurricane ever you may just see a story you know intimately in these paintings. It is rare to come across a body of work that continues to speak to you, sharing it's tale long after you've walked away from it but for this very special show we bring you that experience through Beth's paintings. I hope you have the chance to visit with these paintings and hope even more that you will be able to come to the opening reception, meet the artist, participate in some special moments over a glass of wine. We will remember, celebrate, and grieve together. I hope to see you there.
-Jessica

In The Wake September 8th- October 15th
Featuring New Orleans/Houston Artist Beth Murray
Abstract Oil paintings exploring the beauty of decay
Opening reception September 8th, 7-10 pm
Xnihilo Gallery
www.2115Taft.org
2115 Taft Houston Texas 77006
713.522.3533

This week communities around our country pause to remember the devastation, confusion, and bond created by the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast. That bound is especially present between the communities of New Orleans and Houston; a bond that was strengthened when Hurricane Rita aimed for Houston a month after Katrina devastated New Orleans. Thousands of Gulf Coast residents have survival stories from wind, flood, and evacuations. Transplanted from New Orleans to Houston by Hurricane Katrina, Beth Murray invites us to the beautiful narrative of decay and age that her work explores in “In The Wake.” Please join us for a reception on September 8, 2006 from 7-10 pm to remember, reflect and bring your own stories to this narrative. Be sure to bring your friends, you don't want to miss out on this exhibit.

All the pieces in this show are available for purchase, please call or e-mail Jessica Martin-Weber to set an appointment to select the piece or pieces that would bring just the right touch to your home, office or as a unique gift. The gallery is open from M-TH, 9 am – 10 pm and F-S, 9 am – 10.30 pm for viewing and purchases can be made at the coffee shop counter during those times.