The Artist’s Reflection on The Past:

Years ago, my parents visited me in Laguna Beach, where I had been living for a few years. At the time, I was understudying with Jack Shears at Shears and Window, a prestigious showroom for designers and architects. My main role was to display the gallery and sell the products. The showroom was stunning, and I wanted my parents to see it. My dad, genuinely happy for me, said he was glad I had found my calling. Afterward, we went to Hotel Laguna for lunch, enjoying the beautiful oceanfront setting.

During lunch, my mother went to the restroom, leaving my father and me alone. To my surprise, my dad turned to me and said something profound: “David, you’ve got to get it right with your mom.” He knew firsthand about the unhealthy relationship my mother and I had. The look on his face conveyed the importance of his words, and I never forgot his request. That night, he had a heart attack and died. Life changed dramatically after that, but I’ll never forget holding my mom for hours, feeling genuine compassion for her.

For the next 30 years, I was busy running my furniture company and expressing myself through sculpting. During that time, I visited my mom occasionally, and she sometimes attended my art shows. In 2021, during the Covid pandemic, my museum offered me an opportunity to work on a large canvas tent. Naim suggested quilting the entire tent, which would make it stand out. Growing up with four generations of quilters, I had often watched them create inspiring pieces. So, I said yes but knew I needed my mom’s help. Without hesitation, she said, “Come home, and I’ll teach you.”

I felt scared, overwhelmed, and doubtful, but as we began working together, things started to click. I sewed regularly, asking my mom for guidance. She was a master, and I admired watching her work. Both creative individuals, we focused our energy on completing the “quilt tent,” one of the most important projects of my life. Through this process, we began to see our similarities and nurtured them, fostering growth and healing. Internally, I felt a deep shift and reflected on my dad’s last words: “Get it right with your mom.” I could see this happening.

One day, I took a nap and heard a voice in my sleep saying, “You fulfilled your father’s wish. Good for you.” The voice continued, “Your time here is finished; now go and do what you love.” I woke up in tears of gratitude and thanks.