D.U.I. of the D.I.A.

           aka “Dazzled Under the Influence of the Detroit Institute of Art” 🙂 Aaron cut his teeth on the exquisite masterpieces at the Detroit Institute of Art. Alan was in medical school and Aaron was just learning how to talk when we moved to the DeRoy Apts. on the campus of Wayne State University. Before long I discovered that Detroit’s incredible children’s library, the natural history museum, and the art museum were just three blocks from our front door and FREE! On many a sunny day, Aaron and I would take our morning stroll over to one of these great institutions and stand in awe of the priceless treasures stored  within their walls. So, when Aaron was in town last weekend with the Twitter team for U.M.’s commencement, it seemed all too natural that he’d opt to spend  some time reminiscing our way through the D.I.A. Many of the pictures were familiar to him…some because they’re famous, but probably others because I  taught him vocabulary by studying the paintings: “Man!” “Horse!”  “Lady riding horse…” “Mountain!” “River.” “Rock.” “Trees.” “Men.” “Boat.” “Clouds…”I’d lift him up into my arms, point to something and tell him the name. Pretty soon, he’d point at something for me to name! “Waterfall…bird…canyon!” By the time Michael was born and had joined the game, their favorite exhibit wasthe hall lined with the shining armor of knights from days of old! Oh, the stories that we shared about the bravery of those noble knights! Museums are bursting  with fuel for the imagination, and every picture tells a story! I have always been especially drawn to the beauty of Renaissance art, and the most common theme  of their paintings are Bible stories, like this gorgeous depiction of Lot’s family fleeing from Sodom by Benjamin West or this ornate composition envisioning what it might have looked like when Jacob defended Rachel and Leah so they could water their father’s flocks. My very favorite paintings tell the gospel story—how Jesus died on the cross so that we can have forgiveness for our sins. Truly, an art museum us a wonderful place to take your child! Kids are never too young to enjoy great art, great history, great stories, and stories of great love!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).