We drove from Niagara Falls into Toronto, because Jake HAD to be a witness to his favorite artist's newest works, exhibited at Magic Pony (and that's what this unschooling Mom does...says *yes* to my child's requests that come from deep within his Being, even when it adds another hour onto an already long trip home, because I know that saying *yes* to life and to the open doors the Universe provides only brings amazing things, and opens the doors to infinite possibilities!).
Jake has been drawn to Nathan Jurevicius' art since he was very young. Nathan's work has influenced not only Jake's own art, but Jake's dreams and aspirations for his life as an artist.
Jake and Sam spent a long time discussing the art and the concepts/philosophies represented by the art.
Reformation revolves around weighty themes of religion and spirituality, drawing specific reference to Eastern European folktales. Stemming from his Lithuanian background and personal religious upbringing, Nathan uses Scarygirl as an alter-ego to explore the internal and external forces that manipulate, convince and challenge us. Taking the viewer through Scarygirl's introduction into and initial acceptance of organized religion, we witness the inevitable existential questioning of faith and morality.
I was telling one of the sweet and adorable girls who works at *Magic Pony* about how this was a *spiritual experience* for Jake to be there, viewing Nathan's works. I gave her some background into Nathan's influence on Jake.
She was so touched, and she asked, "Has he ever met Nathan?" Knowing how HUGE this would be to Jake, I was unable to speak, so I just shook my head, "No." She picked up on how big it would be. She smiled...walked over to the phone...dialed...and said, "Hi! Is Nathan around?"
I was having a FREAKING HEART ATTACK!!
He was in a meeting at that time...she was trying to keep it all a secret from Jake, and she told me to go walk around for a little while (we're always happy to walk around Queen Street West) and they would try to get Nathan into the store as quickly as possible.
We walked to *Urban Outfitters* and got Sam some awesome skinny jeans. I told Jake that I wanted to stop back into Magic Pony and he started suspecting something. So I told him, "They called Nathan and he might be at the store to meet you."
Jake had to brace himself, he almost fell over!
But, alas, it was not meant to be...as Nathan's meeting ran longer and it was far away...
But we STILL had such an incredible time at the art show and connecting with the *Magic Pony* people. The girl who had tried to set up the meeting asked for Jake's address and said that she would get Nathan to sign some things and send them to Jake. As always happens, we started talking about Jake and Sam's lives, and unschooling, and the girls were so fascinated by it when I was explaining it to them...and the one who was setting up the meeting asked me, "Will you be MY Mom??"
It was an incredible day...and after our 6 hour drive through severe downpours and thunderstorms, it is SOOOOOO wonderful to be home again...
And we still feel a great excitement to think that Jake *almost* met Nathan!
All is well.
