A Well Spent Life

"My mother died early this morning, in her sleep. God was wonderful and took her gently. I am grateful to God for answering my prayers and taking her without fear or pain. 

I realize that I have lost the one person in this world who gave complete, unconditional love to me. What greater love than a mother for her child? Mom made it possible for me to be an artist. I couldn't have made it without her never-ending help, praise, and prayers. I know you are with your loved ones at last. Mom, I will always love you and I will miss you for the rest of my lifetime. 

It's uncanny that I just finished a painting that I think was a new plateau in my work. It is a motif of two young Panamanian girls dressed in montunas. One girl is looking to the side, but the main one, in front is looking at the viewer, but at the same time, away into space, to some other time, some other place. Perhaps her mind is where happiness and peace is... where I feel my mother is. I named the painting 'Josafina' after my mom. Cicero said, 'It is a brief period of life that is granted to us, by nature, but the memory of a well-spent life never dies.' I say, well done, Mom."

Al Sprague, Artist's Journal, August 13, 1993

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Josafina, 1993

My grandmother, Josephine Sprague was a character. Everyone in the Canal Zone knew her because she sold encyclopedias and life insurance to earn enough money to send her four children to college. I can't tell you how many times I have heard, "Oh, I knew your grandmother, she sold us encyclopedias." The funny part of this whole story is that she was a great sales lady and even sold encyclopedias to spanish speaking Panamanians because they just wanted to get rid of her when she came to their house with a set to sell. You see, my grandfather had a lot of Panamanian friends and grandma would hit them all up to buy a set of encyclopedias and/or life insurance. 

Throughout the years, Dad used to tell me that I reminded him so much of his mother. He would repeat this over and over again whenever I would sell an original. 

It was in the early 2000's when Dad decided to send me Josafina. I had moved to a new house in Dunn, North Carolina and had a perfect place where Josafina would be enjoyed every day - right above the mantle of my fireplace. Ever since then, Josafina has been a special piece of our art collection. 

I can't help but think of Dad's words whenever I see this painting. Josafina is looking off into a better place - a place with no pain, a place with peace, and a place we all strive to get to one day. When Dad painted it, he saw the place where his mom was - a place where she was looking over him and guiding him just as she had when she was here on earth. 

I will repeat the words of Cicero that Dad quoted above, "It is a brief period of life that is granted to us, by nature, but the memory of a well-spent life never dies." and I say, "well done Dad."