Globe Trotter
A frightened woman identifies with a picture of a lost child.

Several years ago a reporter from The Calgary Sun called to see if he could do an article on Art à la Carte. I was of course delighted to oblige. After an extensive interview, arrangements were made for a photo shoot at the Foothills Hospital.

Globe Trotter (Image by Kim Anderson)

Unfortunately, neither of the patients we had pre-arranged to photograph felt well enough for our visit. Still, I had a hunch we would manage to find an agreeable candidate. We entered the room where a gentle, middle aged woman lay. I asked her whether or not she was enjoying the picture hanging on her wall.

"Oh yes," she replied. "I'm enjoying it very much."

The woman was on oxygen and having trouble speaking, but it was clear to me that she had more thoughts to offer about the piece.

"You see that little boy in the picture – all lost and forlorn? He doesn't know where he is or where he's going." She clasped my hand tightly and began to cry. "That's just how I feel lying in this hospital bed. Don't know where I am or where I'm going."

I stroked her hand tenderly, offering what little comfort I could as the reporter's story unfolded before his very eyes.