May 9, 2024
In 2014, I created a painting named Kite.
The painting came to fruition through self reflection of how fearful I was of letting things go. The boy clings to his kite that is meant to fly afraid of what may happen once he lets loose his precious pristine kite to the wind. Would it be carried way by a gentile breeze and rise to great heights, or will it succumb to violent winds thrashing about until it meets its demise?
Fast forward to 2024. I took my four year old son to fly a kite for the first time. He was so excited at the thought of playing with his brand new kite that he was constantly reminding me to not to forget the kite as we left home.
At the park we quickly assembled his kite and let loose the tail just in time for a brisk gale to effortlessly lift the kite to great heights. As my son gripped the spool tightly, I began to unwind the string at a slow pace allowing the kite to ascend gradually. But with every inch unspooled, tears began to well up in my son’s eyes. I could feel his grip on the spool tightening as the kite drifted farther and farther away.
Baffled, I asked him what was wrong.
“I’m scared! I don’t want it to fly away! Bring it back! Bring it back!” He exclaimed bursting with tears.
In that moment, I saw myself again. The little boy clutching his kite fearful of letting go.
This time around the image weighs even heavier.
One day I’ll have to let my son go. And I’m almost certain, that tears will well up in my eyes just the same.