I've been away from art for a couple of months, getting better after a medical issue. It's been a rough winter in many ways, not the least of which was the loss of a dear, long-time friend, Ed. His funeral yesterday was a combination of horrific sadness and, amazingly and oddly, fun. Ed, a costume designer by trade and inclination (he designed for the Boston Ballet for many years), enjoyed dressing as Father Christmas each holiday season. He wanted to make his exit from this world in his Father Christmas outfit, and so he did, crown, fur, bells and all! His coffin was decorated with golden icons and holly and evergreen branches. The final, and most telling thing about what a wonderful person Ed was is in the music that rang him out of the church at the end of the ceremony: "Joy to the World." Ed brought a lot of joy into people's lives, as Father Christmas and as himself. He brought much joy to my life and I will miss him dearly.
