Some people will say the story is based on a string of lovely coincidences. Others might say it’s proof there’s a little magic left in the world. Personally, this strengthens my belief that the Holy Spirit works in ways we cannot begin to understand.
This Thursday, September 14, marks the sixth anniversary of the death of Zane Pitzvada at the age of nineteen.
In the eulogy, his mom Denise told the mourners that Zane was bright, intense and exuberant. He was full of energy from the moment he was born. Zane was his own person and thought being fair in every situation was above all else.
Denise closed the reading with these words, “All of us are like the stars in the skies. We do our jobs. We shine bright some nights and not so bright on others. But Zane was a comet. He was fast and powerful, seen and felt by many, and then gone.”
Wanting to have the eulogy and a poem framed to hang on the blue walls of Zane’s bedroom, Denise located a frame shop in a nearby city. Before making the turn that would take her out of town, she recalled a local shop named Sun Studio and headed there instead.
After Denise and the studio associate had chosen frames and matting for the two pieces, Denise browsed the store alone while the associate took a phone call.
Since one of Zane’s walls had a space just begging for a painting, Denise looked through a stack to see if she could find one with blue that she liked.
Then she saw a painting that was separate from the others. It was leaning up against a wall, encased in plastic. Denise held it up trying to discern what the painting represented.
The associate returned just then and told her a local artist named Sandra Varney had dropped off her original painting to be matted and framed for a show. “But you’re holding it the wrong way,” the associate said, rotating the painting. “It’s a comet.”
Denise said the only words she could. “I have to buy this. And when you read the eulogy you’ll be framing for me, you’ll understand why.”
Since the painting wasn’t actually for sale, the store contacted the artist and explained the request. Sandra gave her blessing.
The two women later met and Sandra graciously asked Denise for permission to title the painting Zane’s Comet. As you can see in the photo attached to this post, it is named just that.
But this is not the end of the story.
In Sandra Varney’s own words: “As an artist, my medium is watercolor; my style of painting almost photographic. Imagine my surprise when I began a painting using a brush big enough to paint a room. Not only was this method of painting a totally foreign genre for me, I had absolutely no idea WHY I was painting it, or how it might turn out. I knew only that I felt absolutely compelled, even led, to continue.”
Denise and I came into each other’s lives about five years ago. And because Sandra created Zane’s Comet notecards for Denise, every day as I sit at my writing desk, I can lift up my eyes and see one of them pinned to the edge of my bulletin board.
Zane, I didn’t know you in your short life on earth. But I know you now through your mother’s eyes and heart and stories. And because of the beautiful painting transformed into a notecard, I think of you each day.
Comet or not, Zane, your light lives on.
What a beautiful true story. It gave me goose bumps! Please keep on writing “LiftedUp”. I get a lot of joy and comfort from your writing.
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words.
Perfect remembrance as Denise makes her annual trek in Zane’s memory. I didn’t know Zane well, either, just as a beautiful young boy that flitted through our family’s lives as we crossed paths in town. Denise was so gracious in reaching out to me after our son’s death and enfolding this mother’s broken heart with her own, only just tentatively healing. What a blessing she is to me just as you and your words are, too, Norma.
It was wonderful to hear from you, Kathy.
Oh Norma, your rendition of this story brought me to tears. Actually, sobs. For hours, but a much needed cry.
I cannot thank you enough for writing and posting it. It is a truly beautiful piece of work that I will cherish forever.
Crying IS therapeutic. A friend recently told me when we hand someone a tissue, that’s a sign we want the person to stop the tears. So I am NOT handing you any tissue. It was indeed my honor and privilege to share your and Zane’s and Sandra’s story. You know that I will be thinking of you tomorrow.
I find the artist to be as beautiful and soulful as her paintings. She paints from the heart. It is not surprising that she has helped someone because that is her way. I should know; she is my mom.
I have said, and continue to say, prayers for Denise and her son. It is a pain that never ceases, yet the mother has found a way to express her connection with Zane and the heavens above, through the buying and displaying of the painting. God bless Denise and her family, Zane, and Sandra.
Denise, you have people praying for you that you don’t even know. Your son knows though, because I believe he is with you everywhere you go. My heart goes out to you both.
Hello Lauren/Lolly. Thank you for writing. What beautiful comments about your mother! One of the greatest blessings of writing these posts is that it brings together people who have never met yet who share deep connections.
That is a beautiful story…so nice to read it here. My heart is with you and your family.
We love Zane and are always looking up with him in mind. A beautiful tribute.
Xoxo xox
Glenda and Glenn.
Hi Glenda, thank you for your on-going support of Denise and Catzby and for being one of the people who added a lovely comment.
I am honored to be both Denise’s little sister and the aunt to Zane. Denise and both her boys share
an amazing connection and love that is captured in the story. The picture is perfect…as is the story. Though I am always sad for my sister and Catzby’s loss, as well as for my family as Zane was hilarious and sweet and kind and just a great asset to our family, I am grateful for the 19 years that Zane was on this earth and who gave me wonderful memories. I will see you again Zane, and until we meet, I will keep your memories alive.
Hi Cindy – I feel as though I know you through Denise’s stories of her family. Sometimes when a loss is so personal, we lose sight of all the other people who are also experiencing the loss. Thank you for the reminder that family is a wonderful asset…they hold us up when we can’t stand by ourselves.
Zane J was an absolute charmer, full of the zest and zeal this painting reveals. Sadly missed, never forgotten, his brother Catzby, his true friends, his Mother Denise and Father Jim have all had the privlege of having Zane J grace their lives, leaving an indelible mark of love which continues to shine brightly today, almost as much as his infectious smile. “Carry on, he says, until we meet again.”
Mike, thank you so much for being a part of the conversation. I had to ask Denise what the J stands for and she said, “Just J.” I guess in naming him, that was part of the unique individual Zane turned out to be.
Norma, You once again touched my heart so deeply with this amazing story. What a beautiful tribute to Zane and his family. A recent post on Facebook says:
A Mother instinctively protects her child.
A grieving Mother instinctively protect’s her child’s memory <3
Love you Norma and love what you do!
The Zane’s Comet post drew the most comments to date. I love his mom and felt just so privileged to be the one to tell the story to the world.
Norma, what a beautiful tribute to a precious life! It touched my heart so much. God has a way of bringing people together at just the right time when they are needed most! I would love to see Zane’s Comet! It was a God given gift through Sandra’s talent and heart. God Bless Denise and give her peace.
Don’t stop what you are doing with lifted up.because it, too , is a God given gift! ❤️
My beautiful Texas friend…thanks for writing. I’ll remind Zane’s mom to go back and read additional comments that have posted, like yours.
Note from Norma: One of my good friends, Denise, had forwarded my blog to a new friend of hers. She wrote back a lovely and personal note to Denise in this comment section. As such, I forwarded the message to Denise (because those kind words of affirmation are something we can all use more of!), but have edited her message to appear here:
“Through Denise’s wonderful, loving spirit, by her sharing her sad but inspiring story, and through reading this blog, I have been reaffirmed in my belief in and love for people.”