Chris & Sara's Wedding Anniversary Reception
About the Artwork
Barn Swallow
Joyful, decisive, & full of hope
Sommarthbeth's barn is full of beautiful swallows. They used to arrive exactly on Chris's birthday, May 9th. But as the years get warmer, they now arrive a whole month earlier. The swallow knows its joy, and follows it absolutely. They are known for their quick, fluid bursts of movement. A swallow means that something important is happening in front of you right now.
Daffodil
New Beginnings
As the poet Rilke wrote, “It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.” The first sign of spring, daffodils promise a fresh start. Chris and Sara are drawn to this symbol of hope and new beginnings. These cheerful flowers are a favorite at Hungry Run, lining the rock garden with their joyful bursts of yellow and white. They whisper, All will be well.
Grasshopper
Creative & Courageous
"...Who made the grasshopper? This grasshopper, I mean- the one who has flung herself out of the grass, the one who is eating sugar out of my hand, who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down- who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes. Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face. Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away. I don't know exactly what a prayer is. I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day..." - Mary Oliver, "The Summer Day"
American Bullfrog
Symbol of Cleansing & Transformation
The bullfrog appears in honor of Chris's love of fishing and the calming power of the rivers, his second home. Associated with the water, frogs symbolize the cleansing power of nature - a balm to wash away the stresses and worries of the busy world in which we live.
Black-Eyed Susan
Sign of Encouragement & Determination
These hardy flowers are known for weathering all sorts of conditions. Sara loves the bright yellow patch that her Mother would tend outside the bay window of Hungry Run. Each summer they bring their sunshine-colored joy.
Northern Cardinal
Wise & Noble
Cardinals, the Virginia state bird, grace our homes year round. But our favorite is the bright and joyful presence during a snowy winter as they gather around the bird feeder for an early-morning Christmas feast.
American Goldfinch
Positivity & Gratitude
The goldfinch is a favorite of the Jamesons - a bright light at Hungry Run. Whenever Sara and Julia see one in the garden, eating seeds from the sunflowers, they know their Mom is with them.
Oak Tree
Strength & Constancy
Beautiful in its ancient, towering form, the oak tree persists as a symbol of strength, endurance, and longevity. In Celtic myths, the oak is also associated with the “tree of life,” whose roots penetrate the underworld and branches soar to the heavens.
Fern
Magic & Reverie
Our Virginia forests are full of these lush, lovely ferns. It's no wonder they are associated with magic, as their feathery, green leaves seem to frolic playfully in the dappled light. The "koru" or spiral shape of an unfurling frond is a Maori symbol of creation due to its fluid circular shape. The circling shape of the koru conveys the idea of perpetual movement, a metaphor for the way in which life both changes and stays the same.
Madeleine Pierce
Artist
Madeleine grew up with Sara in the wilds of Virginia, but has resided in Baltimore for the last ten years where she engages in a variety of artistic projects and pursuits. You can find more information on her website: https://www.madeleinepierce.org