Pippo the clown

As far back as my memory goes...

Pippo the clown was a part of it.

My grandparent's, my Opa and Oma

had Pippo in there living-room.

Later Pippo hung in the walls of our home

as my mother had him...

Always, always I loved him!

many people hate clowns, fear clowns...

not me!

Pippo had something about him that I gravitated towards...

it was the utter sadness in his eyes...

 This is a original painting...i have no clue the value...

My Opa collected only real painting's,

but they could have come from unknown artist...

all of this matters little to me...

what mattered to me was

'Pippo'

As I grew my mom new I wanted Pippo,

everyone new I wanted him...

I had spoken for years of my love for Pippo.

When our mother passed away July 21st 2013...

No one wanted Pippo, my brothers were like

freaky clown, nightmares...etc...

My sister didn't want him...

But I did. My mother had told me he was one of my

Oma's (grandma's) favorite piece's...

she related to him...

as i did..and then I got to hear the story...

we call him Pippo  his story is true...

This is the story as my mom heard it from my Opa (grandpa) and

how I heard it from my mom.

The Painting is called 'self portrait'

there was a famous Theater show about

this clown...

He lost his wife and soon to be first child...

in childbirth...and a hour later

he had to be on stage and perform...

not time to grieve or just be...

this was approx in the 1920's

so the portrait shows his deep sadness

as he became the clown everyone

wanted him to be...

and made others laugh...

while his own heart was in utter grief and sadness!

My  Oma I think related to him...the same

way i did... life isn't always what we assumed

it would be...

Life has it's pain,

life sometimes throws us into journey's and 

paths we never could have perceived...

and yet to me...

life is also so beautiful...

the pain as important as the joy's and laughter

Pippo reminds me of this...

a clown that brings laughter...and joy

and yet knows pain and sadness.

strength comes from facing the pain and sadness

it is those who walk the pain and sadness

and still smile...

still look up, still believe, still find joy, always,

despite everything...

it is those who's courage and strength emulate

all I want to aspire too and Be

true strength and courage doesn't come from

all being perfect...

true strength and courage comes

when all isn't perfect, 

but you find joy and reasons to smile

on a daily basis...

it is knowing that "you are loved"

in each and every precious moment...

and all you experience is to make you stronger

make you wiser and in the end...

make you more like him!

Our loving Heavenly Father  

And that then is my life's journey

to be more like him

to sparkle and shine

and emulate who 'God'

truly is...

Have a wonderful day...

know that you are loved...

know that everyone fights a battle of some kind

other's may not see...

you can be the gift, that someone needed today...

simply by being you... by sharing a smile, a positive word,

by being 'love' in this sometimes

chaotic world...

may your day be amazing in every way!