A Tribute

I remember well the day I flicked through the TV channels and came upon a public television program. It was my first introduction to Bob Ross and I was mesmerized by him. He appeared to have been caught in a time warp dating back to the 70's with a mane fashioned into an exaggerated "Afro." He spoke with a voice so gentle and hypnotic that I was lulled into a sense of peace. He maintained that anyone could paint and demonstrated with a knife and several brushes. Often he paused his painting to show a baby squirrel that had wondered into his yard. His love of nature was only equal to his love of painting. Thus, he incorporated the two. It was only in the last couple of years that I happened to read the information following the program. It stated that the program was "brought to you by the Bob Ross Memorial Fund." I was shocked as I never knew of his passing. He lost his battle with cancer at the age of fifty-three. What an inspiration he was and what a gentle spirit. I miss him.