The Artist's Statement:
"Seldom do we live in the present our very thoughts are echoes of the past. Constantly we spend so much of our present planning for a tomorrow we may not have, like a gift under a Christmas tree that’s so large we can’t see it. Our gift is under that Christmas tree on Christmas morning not Christmas Eve or the day after Christmas, those days are gifts we cannot posses. We only possess this very moment.

This day comes to us wrapped in a golden morning, held together with the spirit of life. As the day dawns be aware, no matter what our circumstances we determine what enters this new day, and we are responsible for our own feelings. Nothing can spoil our day unless we allow events that occur during the day to break our spirit.

Human beings will naturally have times when they are frustrated angry sad etcetera but also remember for every negative there must be a positive. If the only positive that you can find in your life now it that you are alive, try to realize that you have the most precious gift on Earth and that is the gift of the present, with all it’s opportunities!

“Gift of the Present” is dedicated to my cousin Bruce Carrick who after a courageous battle with cancer passed away at the age of 44 years. He is very sadly missed, but ever remembered with great love."