$175.00 plus $15.00 UPS shipping (frame not included)

11.5″ wide by 14.5″ high….Painted 4/2/17

Inspired by the beautiful photo by Bonnie Sitter on Paint My Photo

The following was written by a wonderful friend and writer, Jd Young, after I painted this.  © 2017 jdyoung.

Seth

Seth was too young to realize he was alone and abandoned. He was fed and cared for by the Mission Charities in Philadelphia as part of their Lost Souls Program. Any unwanted child could be dropped off on the steps of the church and taken in – no questions asked.

Found in a cardboard box on the steps of St. Cecelia’s, they guessed his age at ten months when he first arrived. A Gerber-baby face with strawberry blonde hair and hazel eyes, all the nurses and sisters wanted to rock him to sleep. Even with so many children needing families, adopting is a long and arduous process.

Grady Bennett, one of the volunteers at the Mission, played with Seth every moment he could spare. Though he had no grandchildren, he dearly loved little ones and Seth would melt anyone’s heart. There came a time when Grady would leave the playroom and Seth would make his displeasure known with a weak cry or the disappearance of his smile. Grady’s daughter had suffered two miscarriages and she and her husband had been in the adoption process for a two years.

It seemed an answer to prayer when they were told they were on the list to receive a child and were invited to Mission Charities to see the available children. Without knowing the connection between her dad, Grady, and Seth, she and her husband picked him up and never put him down. Living on a small farm in Amish Country, they settled into a calm life with the child of their dreams.

And when Grady found out they had adopted Seth he said thanks to God, every day. He didn’t volunteer at the hospital because he was busy taking care of his new grandson. By the time Seth turned three, Grady had taught him to tie his shoelaces, though he wouldn’t keep shoes on his feet and always put on his hat so the bugs and heat didn’t bother him so much. Seth loved running barefoot in the field, tomato garden and manure pile. Grady showed him all about the animals and he even learned to feed the chickens. He had his own rabbit to care for and was so gentle helping Grandpa get fresh eggs.

He was grandpa’s boy and Grady could not be prouder. He was getting close to four years old now and Grady had a special hook for Seth’s straw hat – right next to his. Grady had gotten him a “big boys” hat for his upcoming birthday. A surprise he had hidden in his room.

Since her mom had died, Lilly, Grady’s daughter, worried about her dad. And after her miscarriages, he seemed to lose his purpose in life and cared about very little. When she talked him into volunteering at the Mission, he seemed to turn around and found a reason to get up every day. With Seth at the house, it truly was an answer to prayer. He smiled and laughed and Seth was at his side constantly.

Friday morning came with hot, humid winds and a blazing sun. Seth came out of his room looking for PaPa to go feed the chickens. Lilly sat quietly with tears running freely and picked up Seth. She tried to explain PaPa had gone to heaven and would be with the angels. But Seth insisted PaPa could visit them for a little while and then come home to see him.

Seth ran to Grady’s room and called PaPa, PaPa. But the house was silent. He ran out to Lilly, but PaPa’s hat is here. Where is he?

She simply cried. Seth took his little hat next to Grady’s, put it on and went out the door barefoot. He climbed to the first rung of the fence, just like Grady had taught him to do. He held on tight and looked down toward the road.

When Lilly went to get Seth, she heard his soft pleas, “PaPa…PaPa. Please come home, Papa. The angels don’t need you. I miss you PaPa. I love you PaPa.”