my africa

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by Liz Lemon Swindle

I spied the unfinished canvas of this painting in  an article in the Utah Valley Magazine.   I was desperate to find it.  I used various searches and couldn't find it.  There wasn't even a title of the painting in the article.  After calls, emails, and an essential tip from a friend I was able to locate the painting.  You see this painting, "Worth of a Soul" had been released the day after I had discovered it in the magazine.   I was crazy about finding copies because our Relief Society was having a Hunger Banquet and this for me was a quiet summary of the goals of the Hunger Banquet (which was an amazing experience). 

This painting "speaks to me." 

Shortly after having Bronwyn a neighbor was collecting infant formula to send to a developing country.  As I gave her cans of formula I remember being filled with a sense of frustration.  I so longed to be the one gathering cans and instituting change around the world--it is what I had studied, what I had intended to do, what I was passionate about.  I felt frustrated that my big dreams seemed to be put on hold.  I was frustrated that my big dreams were all good in purpose.  I remember praying for an answer of what I could do right then.  I admit I was expecting an answer that would lead our family to the far ends of the earth.  I didn't expect this answer, which was one of the clearest answers to a prayer I have ever received:  "This is your Africa." 

It wasn't what I had expected.  Frankly, it wasn't what I wanted to hear.  I wanted to hear, "Your Africa is in Africa--as in, get going to Africa."  Instead I knew, in that answer, that I could make the biggest impact, not by collecting cans of formula but by lovingly nursing my baby girl in her cozy chair. 

When I look at this picture I see this boy as Davis.

My Africa.

Read the  story behind the painting here.

Comments

[Lindsay]

I'm crying.

Thank you for this beautiful reminder.

[Brooke Hoopes]

Honestly one of my favorite things you've written. A glimpse of the persective of true motherhood. Thank you Brook.