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Let me begin by telling you a little bit of my
story. In November of 1989, I had a baby girl that died at birth. I was devastated, to say
the least. This was the first experience of death for me. I was filled with grief, loss,
anger and confusion. I had no idea how to deal with these feelings or how to let go of
them.
That is where Peter
Teekamp comes in. I met Peter in 1994. Peter's paintings are very special. They all have a
very positive meaning to them. A lot of them are spiritual or heavenly. I began thinking
how special it would be to have a painting of my little angel, Amanda. Little did I know
how much Peter and this painting were going to help me let go of all the sadness I was
holding inside.
Since my daughter's
death I had only a few things to remember her by; two polaroids, her footprints, a lock of
her hair, her little hat and her ashes. Occasionally, through the years, I would take
these things out and have a good cry, but I never felt 'at peace'.
Planning this
painting with Peter was such a healing experience. I showed him all of my memories of her.
I told him how the polaroids didn't resemble how I remembered her when I held her for that
short time. He took from the pictures of her and my memory and came up with a beautiful
little girl. She was in the clouds, overlooking a tree full of angels, a brilliant rainbow
and the prettiest flowers I ever saw. The best part of all was the calm, happy look on her
face. When I look at her now in this painting I feel she's in a wonderful place and that
someday I will see her again.
Having this painting
has helped me work through a lot of unsettled feelings. I can't express how much Peter has
helped me through this. Before we started this painting, when I thought of my daughter, I
felt sadness and loss. Now when I look at my painting on my wall, I feel like a part of
her is always with me. - Tammy Brown
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