- Jul 12, 2015
Yesterday I was at the Delta meeting with the folks who came by the Landscape exhibition at Ingrid Mueller’s Gallery.
There was not a reception but it was the opening day of the exhibition and I had sent out an email to friends in the Fredericton area telling them when I would be there and inviting them to drop in.
The Gallery had also sent a notification. There was not a crowd but enough of a turnout to keep me engaged for the afternoon. I was happy that my work was well received.
Late in the afternoon, feeling at least like a minor celebrity, I retired to the restaurant on the patio by the river with a couple of friends for a beer and a bite to eat. We were served by a lovely and personable young woman. I have always been ready to engage in a little flirtation in such company and she was obliging. In the course of our chatting I was sure to let her know that my paintings were inside in the gallery.
Later on, at one of her returns to our table she looked directly into my face, laid her hand at her throat, and told me that I had made her heart skip a beat. Well! I thought to myself, how about that? I can still make a young woman’s heart flutter! Feeling flattered and thinking she had probably popped into the gallery for a quick look I asked her why that was.
“Because”, she said, “you look so much like my grandfather. He died just a little while ago.”
Wasn’t quite ready for that one.
My perspective was immediately readjusted. I have four grandkids and love being a grandfather – and I hope I am around until they are at least the age of that waitress.
(Grandad with Kyle, Heidi, Clara and Elliot.)