It’s January 25, 2022, and I’m sitting in my bed writing this. Yesterday was quite a day. I had a few sinus like symptoms so I went to Walgreens and had a COVID test. Turns out I am positive. So, I’m home to quarantine for the next five days or until I test negative. I’m so grateful I have been vaccinated and boosted. On the positive side, I am not experiencing major symptoms at this time. Hopefully my case remains mild.

Peter Lowes, a treasure of the community

Yesterday, we lost a treasure. Peter Lowes, passed away. If you didn’t know Pete, allow me to share some things about him in this blog. If you knew Pete, you loved him. Pete was one of the kindest and warmest souls. He knew how to make you feel special. Thus, I’m really going to miss him. I know I’m not alone.

Me and my work at 'I Love Clearwater' exhibit at Menaul Art, 2012

Pete was the owner and founder of Vista Galleries with his wife Bonnie. My relationship with Vista Galleries www.vistagalleries.com began shortly after I moved to Clearwater, Florida. I was accepted into an exhibit called ‘I Love Clearwater’ with Menaul Art, (Now My Favorite Art Place) www.myfavoriteartplace.com. Here is a short interview with me from after the show, https://youtu.be/DfrOMZ-P9n8

Someone recommended Vista Galleries as the best place to have your art framed. Consequently, Vista became my go to framer. Even the years I lived in Tampa, I often drove across the Courtney Campbell Causeway to get my art framed there. 

My watercolor, Whispers From the Vine, 2018

Every time I went to the warehouse, when Pete was present, he had a kind word to say and would carry my framed art to the car. I remember when I picked up my framed original painting, Whispers from the Vine, Pete said, “Wow, you really have something to say. I see a lot of art. You’ve really got something.” I also recall sharing that exchange with my Dad and telling him how caring and complimentary, Pete was. I always shared the important stuff with Dad. 

Fast forward to February of 2021. I had taken a few months off after losing Dad and my best friend, Kellie four months apart in 2020. In October that year, when I returned from Kellie’s memorial service in Philadelphia, it became abundantly clear that I couldn’t continue working in the restaurant industry. Serving the public food and beverage had been my primary source of income for 30 years. However, it was time to leave that relentless cash cow. I left my job and took some time to grieve.

Following those months off of grief counseling and two cathartic courses with MamaGena www.mamgenas.com, it was time to find a new path and livelihood. Low and behold, after combing job listings and some uninspired interviews, I was compelled to look on craigslist. There was an ad for a position at Vista Galleries. A light flashed for me. I immediately wrote a cover letter and forwarded my resume. This felt right. 

Pete called me to set a time for an interview and we chatted on the phone for quite some time as well. Fellow artist and friend, Kristen Santucci www.kristensantucci.com had already put in a good word with Pete about me. I met with Pete at Vista Galleries on a crisp February morning at 11am. Sitting in his office, across from those kind eyes, we were both masked, Pete wanted to hear my life story. I think I was in his office for two hours. It was the loveliest interview I ever had.

Pete and Bonnie at the wedding of long time friends

Louise (also Vista Galleries family) and husband Ed.

As a result, I was hired and have loved working at Vista Galleries. Working in my field and handling art on a daily basis has been a joy. In addition, I delight in learning new skills and the improvements in the industry since I worked at a framing shop in high school. Pete's genuine kindness as a person and boss was a breath of fresh air after working under many not so nice bosses in the restaurant industry. Markedly, all of that, coupled with employee discounts, even made the large decrease in income from restaurant work worth my while. 

Pete opening gifts at our Christmas Party

The things Pete said and did, will ring in my mind… “Isn’t that something?!”, he would often exclaim. Once, he hugged me, with child like joy when I got his ‘frozen’ phone to work again. Almost daily, Pete said, “thank you for everything you do” to every one of us. He really took a personal interest in you. He would ask for details about something you shared with him a day or even week before. The man really listened. He recently told me and Kristen Santucci that we are just as good and talented artists as some of 'those other guys' making the big time out there and saying, “Come on Girls!” I replied, “I’m going for it, Pete!” 

I hope I’ll make him proud. 

Recently I have had a few surprising messages from spirit. One of my latest blogs, Yesterday Meets Today https://creativepinellas.org/magazine/yesterday-meets-today-ride-down-memory-lane/, highlighted important and special teachers in my life as an artist. The first I wrote about was Michael Mulhern, my high school art teacher, mentor, and friend. I felt compelled to share the blog on a Facebook Page called Growin’ Up in Havertown, PA, where my high school was located. Low and behold, on New Years Day, a message appeared on that post from a woman named Roberta Clune, who lives in Clearwater and was in Pennsylvania, visiting with Mr. Mulhern’s son, Peter! I was blown away.

Mr. Mulhern in the Hallway of Haverford High

Roberta’s message read, “Hi Heather! You are not going to believe this but I am actually with Mr. Mulhern’s son Peter right now (in the fb picture). Ironically, I am also from Pinellas County (Clearwater). I’m up north visiting in Lansdowne. What an absolute delight to read your article on this New Year’s Day it is truly a gift. Peter thinks you did a great job on the shoe. From Peter “Just as the canvas brought back memories for you, your kind words brought back wonderful memories for me of my dad. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you so much for a trip down memory lane. I wish you continued success in your endeavors.” He also wonders how many times it took you to draw that shoe.

Roberta Clune and Peter Mulhern

I replied, “Wow, I am stunned! Mr. Mulhern and I kept in touch and wrote letters back and forth after I graduated. I also cleaned his house many times while I was his student. He talked a lot about both Peter and Max. I’m so glad the post provided Peter with lots of good memories! We drew that shoe so many times! And in every medium! I’m lucky I still have that pen and ink of it! I live in Clearwater too! Thank you so much for sharing. I am awestruck by the serendipity! Peter has some of his Dad’s characteristics. That warm smile, especially!

Roberta and I are scheduling a time to connect in person for a studio visit in the near future! I can’t wait to see what else unfolds from this beautiful synchronicity!

Ten days later, I received the following message from a friend of my paternal grandparents:

My paternal grandparents, Helen and Henry Rippert

Dear Ms. Rippert, I hope you don’t mind, I looked you up because I believe I was friends with your grandparents, Helen and Henry Rippert. I was a teacher at Holy Family School in Manayunk, (1979-1984) and your grandmother was my wonderful classroom aide. We became friends and she was such an amazing help to me in and out of the classroom. Your grandfather, too, was a great help. Since I was single then, they both helped me paint and set up an apartment on Green Lane. Your grandmother loved ceramics and her handmade gifts to me were (and still are) a treasure to me. When I got married in 1985 their wedding gift was a 21-piece ceramic nativity set, which I have displayed every year at Christmas since then. I remembered your grandmother speaking so lovingly of her granddaughter Heather, and I just wanted to write to you and tell you how much I appreciated your grandparents. I am so glad you are an artist. They must both look down lovingly with love and great pride. I have enjoyed seeing your work on your website and some day I hope maybe I could purchase one of your prints. Thank you.

My grandparents, Nana and Pop at an MG Event

My reply was, “I cannot begin to express how touched I am by your message. I was literally moved to tears as I read about the kindnesses my grandparents offered you and your love and gratitude for them. It somehow reminded me of the line of love I am born of and very grateful for. You gave me a glimpse into the lives they led when I wasn’t with them, and I love that so much. They were wonderful and loving grandparents my whole life.

I don’t know if you ever met my Dad (Hank Rippert) although Nana called him Henry. Dad joined Nana and Pop in the Heavens in May of 2020. We had a tribute for Dad in June last year at an MG event in Atlantic City, NJ.  My Uncle, Tom Rippert, is in good health and still with us. I go see him and my Aunt Jaimee every Christmas. Just this past Christmas I added some of my Dad’s ashes to Nana and Pop’s gravesite at Westminster Cemetery.

Perhaps the next time I am up North, we could meet for a cup of coffee. I love to hear about my loved ones who are no longer here in the physical. The stories are gifts for my heart and soul and deeply appreciated. "

College Graduation Day at MICA with Dad, Uncle Tom, Nana and Pop.

Receiving these messages that simply bowl me over, has me see what matters most. They are reminders from spirit to trust and be present and remember the goodness and most of all, Love.