Thanks, Pal...

While we were at the MFAH party tonight, we made sure to take the boys around to all the art, like we always do when we go to the museum... As usual, I pointed out things like color, or shapes, and common items; I asked the boys to compare one painting to another. Tonight we say Kenneth Noland's color work -- which has lots of geometric forms in them -- and George Catlin's Indian work, which has lots of native American themes.

While we were looking at the Catlin work, I was asking the boys to look at a painting of one indian, and one of another and tell me what was the same, and what was different. One had a wolf skin, one had turkey feathers; one had red shoes, one had slippers (moccosans); one had a spear, one didn't... you get the point.

We were in a galary with the usual museum gaurd and about six or seven other people, mostly older couples enjoying the exhibits in relative peace -- except for our very vocal boys, of course. One man, about 45 -- perhaps Me in ten years or so -- gave me the Thumbs-Up from across the room while we were talking and looking. I smiled at the fact that at least someone knew that art is a lifelong love -- and the boys, loud as they are, are just beginning. Later at another series of paintings, he tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Good job, Dad." Man to man, Dad to Dad -- good job.

That tap meant a lot -- Most of the time, I'm just trying to have fun with my boys. Tonight was certainly one of those times. Sometimes I forget that the things I do really matter.

Someone showed me how to love art. For me, it was when I had grown up -- too late to see it from the eyes of a child, then learn to love the same things while 'growig up'. I want Jackson and Porter to be there from the beginning; and that's all I'm trying to do with my boys -- no one learns it on their own -- they get it from being around those that love it, too.

It makes sense in hindsight why Katie and I had our wedding reception at the Museum -- it's for our family.