We exist in in Fayetteville, NC, close to Fort Bragg, where my husband is in the U.S. Air Force. Ian, our son who is seven years old, has been raised amidst the problems and sacrifices related with armed life such as regular deployments, extended partings, and the randomness that escorts each of his father’s leaving.
At the age of five, I am presented me his love for sketch. He would dedicate hours to doodling, with his fancy torrential out onto the paper. In my desire to cultivate that passion, I looked for a nearby educator and discovered Sandra Dee Nicholson, who, like me, was raised in a military family. She was the ideal teacher because she unspoken our way of life. Once Ian started taking private art lessons from her, a lovely growth began.
My husband was organized again around four to five months after his lessons started. Ian fought hard with the fact that he was absent. He would frequently cry and show how much he missed his dad. However, as soon as he took his paintbrush in hand, the sadness seemed to dispel. He found refuge in art, using it as a means to fast his feelings on the painting.
A domestic always finds it difficult to deal with deployments. While adults learn coping devices, children frequently lack the language and resources to handle their feelings. Ian found comfort and stability in his weekly art meetings. Each week, he had something to anticipate that brought him a sense of peace and pride. Even amid loneliness, the pleasure he derived from creating helped him learn a sense of equilibrium and self-assurance.
Ian came home from university one day looking unusually quiet. His eyes had a sad look, and when I inquired about the issue, he paused before interrogative, “Will my daddy die?” I felt a wave of despair wash over me. I drew him near and said to him, “Your daddy is very clever. He has been well trained by the Army and Air Force, allowing him to always find his way home. That seemed to soothe his fears. He attended his painting lesson later that afternoon. As he emerged, his face was radiant once more. He said that image brought him joy as it helped him avoid perturbing.
Ian started to send prints of his images, along with brief letters, to former presidents over time.
One day, he asked, “Do they assist kids in the military?” and I responded affirmatively.
Upon seeing a news piece regarding President George W. Bush’s passion for painting, Ian promptly expressed his desire to send Bush one of his own artworks. This is why we sent a image along with a letter from our family. A few weeks later, to our surprise, a letter from President Bush arrived. Ian was overjoyed. Initially, we began something small and genuine to express kindness and thankfulness, but it evolved into a much larger endeavor.
Soon thereafter, Ian made the decision to express his gratitude to all living presidents for their service. He started dispatching portraits to President Jimmy Carter, President Clinton and Secretary Clinton, President Obama and Mrs. Obama, as well as Dr. Jill Biden. He also presented artwork to Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina and other leaders who have backed military relations and children with disabilities.
Although Ian was identified with ADHD and auditory processing disorder, he found a confident means of self-expression through art. He speaks it a language that requires no elucidation. Upon Senator Richard Burr’s request for a painting for his office, Ian took on the task with pride. He also aspires to send a painting to Ellen DeGeneres, whom he admires due to her being the voice of Dory in Finding Nemo.
Ian recently got a handwritten letter from President Jimmy Carter, which caused him to beam with pride. We are still awaiting a response from leader Clinton, and we intend to send another print to President Obama to ensure he conventional it.
Through all of this, Ian has upheld a special connection to President George W. Bush. He often states, “One day, I’ll be painting with my friend Mr. George.” And if you inquire what he seeks to be in the future, he always replies simply: “Me. All I want is to be myself.
