[Leica] Sometimes The Gift of Art Can Backfire

[jshul at comcast.net (Jim Shulman)]

Many, many years ago my mother left a job where she was beloved. The owner
of the company wanted to do something very special, and invited our family
to a tribute lunch.  After a few speeches, he announced that he was giving
my mother a gift from the heart.  We wondered, was it a car?  A vacation to
Bermuda (a place she enjoyed)? A case of scotch (something else she
enjoyed.)

At that moment, he unveiled his original oil portrait of her.  Or at least
it was supposed to be her.  My father, sister and I looked down at our
plates.  

My mother saved the day.  She went to the podium and said, "Words fail me."

After a scotch at home, the words came in a torrent.

So, perhaps that vacation, scholarship, or six pack of Madeira might not be
such a bad idea after all.

Jim Shulman
Bryn Mawr, PA