ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER
I’ve often said that aging is not for the faint of heart. Getting up in the morning is the first challenge. Making a mad dash to the bathroom is second on the list, but next shock is looking at the mirror and wondering what my great grandmother is doing in there – staring at me with her stoic, wrinkled face. Our perspective changes on everything begins to change. This weekend I received my first set of hearing aids and a whole new world has opened to me. My point of view is still changing. In fact, when I turned on the vacuum cleaner, I thought I’d blow my brains out with the noise. I can now hear things I never heard before.
An artist relies on a sense of perspective as well. When painting a landscape with a path running through it, the size of the path will grow as it gets closer to the viewer. A building is even more difficult to get the right perspective. All of the angles, sizes and shapes have to be taken into account. Paul was a master of bringing those things to a canvas. His perspective in life followed the same path. He could examine a situation, work through it in his mind, get advice from his Creator and put things into action to find solutions. Putting God first was his mantra and he followed that until the day he died.
So, as we grow old, we have a mountain of information and wisdom to share with others. Using those skills can build a strong future for our younger generation. Our legacy is really not about what we do on earth, but how God can use us to further His kingdom.
Our lives begin in innocence, we are too young to know;
But even in those fledgling years, we choose the way we go.
Our minds are bright our will is strong.
We think we know what’s right and wrong.
Our very hearts grow black with sin, our souls drift to and fro.
We can’t escape the grip of sin. It grows within our heart.
It’s like a cancer moving in and tearing souls apart.
There’s not a thing that we can do.
Our fate is sealed, our death is too.
Our path is filled with darkness, we have no place to start.
Our God showed love omnipotent. He sent His own dear Son.
To pay the price for my misdeeds – salvation He has won.
There’s not a word that I can say,
For burdens lifted every day.
My soul was purchased with His blood, the work has all been done.
How can I thank you, my dear Lord, for everything you gave,
So I will too in heaven live. My soul from sin is saved.
I give my heart and soul to you.
There’s nothing else for me to do.
I’ll praise your name forevermore – my sin is washed away.
atimetoshare.me 
Praise God, Mama K! What a beautiful piece on perspective, aging, wisdom, and the promise of our Savior. Your words always comfort me. Your faith inspires me. As I go about my life, watching my parents as you, living hour by hour in the promise, I’m sending my love and prayers always. You’re a gift to this world; just as Paul was.❤️🙏🏻💕
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I’m just trying to make use of the gifts that God gives me – exactly like you’re doing every day. I love you so much and admire your courage and faith.
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You’re a blessing, Mama K. Thank you so much. I just prayed for you,❤️🙏🏻
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Glad you’re benefiting from the hearing aids, Kathy!
RE: Paul’s painting
The beauty and craftsmanship of older buildings is often missed because people don’t take the time to look up. Sadly, many of the distinguished and historical brick buildings here in Rochester have been bulldozed for parking lots and cheap construction.
We should treasure our older buildings (and senior citizens).
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I hear you💕. Some of those old buildings and seniors are being tossed aside for meaningless things like cars and skyscrapers and even high density housing for seniors – which is often to expensive for those seniors. Thanks for you kind comments.
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Amazing artistry. Wish I had half of those skills. I’m more of a stick figure artist. Ha, ha.
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You have many creative talents. I enjoy your blog tremendously. Lots of time we have undiscovered talents we aren’t aware of. Those stick figures may become a new art form.
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Oh, thank you so much. Yes, I’m thankful for my God-given talents. I just have to laugh. I see a picture that I would love to draw in my head. It’s a beautiful picture. But I don’t have the skills. It makes me appreciate the skill of others who can draw . . . even more. We each have our role, right? Ha, ha.
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Oh, Kathy, I burst out laughing about the vacuum noise. And I have an old woman in my mirror, too 😂 I loved your poem, and the beautiful message. As my husband would say, Glory to God! ❤️
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Amen. There are just so
E things we have to laugh at.
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It’s good we can laugh about it!
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Amen. Kathy, your witness of faith brings today into better perspective. God’s Word helps to reshape one’s focus. Paul’s logic is definitely visible in this painting, as God guides each of his adventures. As for me, I no longer recognize the man pictured on my driver’s license. The State of Ohio required my photo be taken without my eyeglasses on.
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