Tuesday, July 30, 2013

the pangs of a broken heart


Getting older does change things. Especially in what concerns a broken heart.

My niece, who just turned 21, is having her first few pangs with romantic issues and when I look at her, I see the same hopeful me, who so much wanted to believe "this was the one."


I never thought I would say this, but a little bit of cynicism is necessary in life. She is still naive and grabbing on so strongly to any scraps she can get from this guy... And there I was trying not to sound too "parent like", too old, attempting to let her make her own mistakes, but at the same time trying to save her from getting seriously hurt.


Do you still remember the first time you had a broken heart?

34 comments:

Creatively yours Fi said...

I love your water colour of your bird Ana. Truly gorgeous. Yes I've had a few! I still remember this wise old lady twenty years ago looking at me with steely blue eyes and telling me not to 'throw my pearls to swine.' I think I've thrown an entire necklace away. But I've finally met someone.. FINALLY! who treats with kindness and generosity. .Why did it take so long and so much heartache? I think I just wasn't ready and willing to believe I could be loved...I think that has made all the difference x

Kathryn Zbrzezny said...

Yes, I do remember. And actually, I am swimming to the surface on a seriously broken heart from a longtime friend. I have worked so hard lately, but as I swim, i finally see the light above the surface of the water. I will make it. I know now, but I didn't know it even just five days ago. And, lovely Ana, I LOVE your hummingbird painting! Really LOVE it. Gorgeous flowing colors. Thank you for visiting and for telling me about the butterfly. You made my night. Special love and friendship to you, kath

Plowing Through Life (Martha) said...

I'm sorry to hear about your niece; these are growing pains none of us can avoid, unfortunately. We do get stronger after each blow. And I agree with you, Ana; a little bit of cynicism is necessary in life. Absolutely.

I've been through a few broken hearts in my younger years, but a terrible marriage with the wrong person was the worst. It was years worth of heartache that took too long to end, but made me a stronger person after the dust settled. At the very least, I grew in important ways during that period, and got two beautiful daughters out of the deal. So, good things came out of even that tough time. We live. We learn.

Kalei's Best Friend said...

You brought back so many memories.. I remember being naive like that... Age, experience does play a huge part... I see it in my own daughters.. Things I have told them at when they were young they poo-pooed.. Now, that they are older, they are mimicing me with the knowledge I had given them!. LOL... I am sure our parents were in our shoes as well!.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

First of all, love love LOVE that water colour hummer! So beautiful.

Yes, the first broken heart is a rite of passage we must all go through. The most valuable lesson is that it doesn't kill you and in time, you realize it was a good thing that the breakup happened.

Anonymous said...

I didn't get married til age 34 so yes, I had my heart broken many times.

Palomasea said...

I think most of us have to go through it...
Your niece is so blessed to have such a sensitive and loving auntie, though... :)

What a gorgeous hummingbird.....

Hugs,
- Irina

Nadia said...

I love this work of art Ana!!! Very gorgeous colors and so bright! I love the splashes of paint in it.

Ariel said...

Love your bird Ana. The humming bird on the previous post is also beautiful. Yes, a little amount of cynicism is required in life. Can't stop looking at this pretty watercolor artwork:)
SusaN

Optimistic Existentialist said...

There is nothing quite as painful as a broken heart at a young age is there? I remember my first one during my senior year of high school. I thought the world was ending :)

Japolina said...

I am the parent of two teenagers. As we get older, it is easy to forget how dramatic and real everything is when one is young. The highs are higher and the lows are lower. You sound like a great Aunt!

Sherri B. said...

I do remember...at that age, no amount of advice or talking will prevent us from falling too hard. Ana, your paintings get more and more beautiful!

alteredstatesstudio said...

don't we all remember that first heart break? as the older, wiser, we can sometimes offer comments, but, not all will be taken and accepted to protect that young heart anyway....either way heart break is always hard...i know i already told you, but, i absolutely love your bird! the colors are so vibrant and i just love how you captured him! would you consider a trade for one of my women paintings?

Janet Ghio said...

Your bird is just so pretty-wonderful watercolor.

ANN ALICIA LAUGH said...

Omg god I remember well my dear friend that was four years ago and he is now married that was a harsh time but I stay romantic :-) without beeing naive he never got feelings to me ... I grew up with that story :-)

Jeanie said...

OH, yeah, I remember... and I hope I don't have one again, but we all will. But you are so right. With age comes a sense of wisdom. Even when the heart breaks, if we are really honest, we see why that may have been the best thing at the moment -- and we also know it will mend.

Your paintings for this post are especially beautiful and I love the angles and tight shots you used in capturing them.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love the colors in this bird...it's hard to even think of a broken heart. I don't look back very often because sometimes it reopens the wound. I love my life now! Sending you some hugs today!

Fundy Blue said...

Your hummingbird is exquisite, Ana! So sorry for your niece. Heartache always HURTS! The first time, the second time, and all the times! But if you don't risk headache, you will never find love.

Els said...

Love that free humming bird !

(Hmmm agree with Fundy Blue: if you don't risk, you'll never find !

Shaharoh said...

Beautiful birds. Yes, I do but I think the more it happens, the easier it gets. For me, the longer I am with someone, the more it hurts. That is why I hate and love love equally:) xoxo Introvert.

Arkansas Patti said...

Yes I do. Sadly I let it lead me to marry the rebound guy. Big mistake. Warn her about that. It is too common.

BIKBIK AND RORO said...

Such a lovely, uplifting painting -- and a very apt symbol of what one can do when one has to walk away from something heartbreaking. I guess we can all remember such a time in our romantic pasts; I thank God that He helped me to press on through mine and realise that the relationship was just not meant to be, however much I clung to it in my immaturity at the time. I guess all negative experiences have a way of seeming huge and insurmountable at the time, but at my age, I've realised that they really DO pass, and often, one can look back on them with surprise, relief, and even humour. Warm wishes to your niece -- and to you! -- only she can overcome the hurt, but I know she will with the help of your love and support :)

Terra said...

Your lovely bird looks able to fly right off the page.

Unknown said...

Such an amazing post. I love your thoughts here. Beautiful artwork as always!!

Unknown said...

I love you art! just amazing!
Yes I have but one that REALLY broke my heart. Ah, your neice is young, mine is too. I try not to say much like you :)

Kyra Wilson said...

I think this may be my favorite piece of yours yet (are you selling it?)

I have to admit that romantically I never had a broken heart. I may have broken one or two though. I did have unrequited crushes and such. I was lucky, in retrospect, to find my prince when I was 19! (and we'll have been married 18 years this september.)

AntiquityTravelers said...

absolutely, like it was yesterday ... every single one of them

Magic Love Crow said...

I remember and my mom was right! Darn it! LOL! I truly LOVE your painting! Gorgeous ;o)

Almost Precious said...

Rare indeed is the heart that has never been broken. At the time we feel we are the only one, that no one else could possibly know or understand the excruciating pain. And we're so sure the pain will never end, that it will be forever with us like terminal cancer.
But somehow, someway, we endure, we survive and we go on.

CraveCute said...

I think broken hearts are unavoidable in life.
Looking at your gorgeous hummingbird makes my heart feel joy!

Sara said...

I remember my broken heart very well. But I do believe a broken heart can teach you so many things and help you to live you life has a better person. She will be different after that for sure, but she will be more of herself than she previously was.
I love your birds here by the way (:

Sarah D said...

When my father died when I was 19. And coincidentally, I have a connection to him through hummingbirds. Love this so so much.

Jorgelina said...

love your water colour of the hummingbirds!!

Terri Morse said...

Wow, Ana! I've been using FW inks for pen and ink work to enhance my watercolors, but I've never seen them so beautifully used on their own. Your work is quite wonderful! I came across your blog via Alice Windegerden on Facebook. I want to visit more often! -Terri