(From Campbell Brown, TODAY Anchor)
When I think of my mother, Dale, I usually picture her covered in paint. She spends most of her time in a big open warehouse just outside of Pensacola, Florida.
In her studio, giant canvases cover the walls in various stages of completion. I would describe her paintings as bold. The colors are strong and the canvas is big. They are abstract and inspired by her Gulf of Mexico surroundings. (To see Dale's paintings click here.)
Painting is not a hobby for my mother. It is a passion. As she has said, since she was a child all she ever wanted to do was paint. Her only dream was to be an artist. But like so many women of her generation, she put her dream on hold to raise her children. When we were kids it was clear to us that our stay-at-home Mom had greater ambitions; but ambitions that she was quieting for a time. She instilled in us the belief that we must follow our passions.
Now with her kids grown and gone, she has taken to her painting with a vengeance. There is no question she is making up for lost time. She paints without regret but certainly with urgency. Her commitment is my inspiration. Her desire has never waned and she has never let go of her dream.
For both that which she has given up and for that which she has determinedly held onto, I honor my Mom on this Mother's Day. WATCH VIDEO