Erin's friend from Lawrence University: MEGAN FONSTAD

When daughter Erin Kate graduated from Lawrence last weekend, one of the things we did while on campus was to visit the art building where an exhibition was going on. Her graduating classmate of Fox Point WI, Megan Fonstad, was one of the artist exhibitors.

Megan's theme that so touched the SRN editor was the human heart. She had constructed some emergency ice chests that contained her wooden models - on ice, very real looking, with non-melting ice cubes reposing beneath the heart semblances.

The SR ed. found her exhibit poignant, because when Erin and Megan were freshmen he underwent quadruple by-pass surgery. His heart was not transplanted but it was rebuilt, like a car engine, including a valve job and a "timing chain."

Erin later informed us that her friend Megan had herself once sustained a liver transplant. The idea of organs being rushed from donors to recipients rung clarion. The cubes made by Ms. Fonstad were so real-looking we felt if we touched them they would be be cold - as ice.

The Fonstad family lives on Beach Drive, the almost Lake Michigan-level lane on the lakefront. It is kitty-corner across the street from where the artisan (whose name escapes us) for years had the vast collection of driftwood sculptures & etc. in her yard. The SR News believes they are still there, though the woman is gone.

It is evident that creative art had an oasis in that mystical seaside neighborhood.

There were some standing heart representations we found compelling as well. Erin stands next to them.

We were so glad to be in attendance at Erin's commencement, chest sewn-up and system remodeled. Then to find the modeled heart display in the gallery of the Wriston art building - Megan Fonstad's deft work - was "ice"ing on our cake! Thank you to all - Artist, caregiver, doctor, for life!

Baccalaureate Hymn

6-14-08

Earth was given as a garden, cradle for humanity;

Tree of life and tree of knowledge placed for our discovery.

Here was home for all your creatures born of land and sky and sea;

All created in your image, all to live in harmony.

Show to us again the garden where all life flows fresh and free.

Gently guide your sons and daughters into full maturity.

Teach us how to trust each other, how to use for good our power,

How to touch the earth with rev'rence. Then once more will Eden flower.

Bless the earth and all your children, one creation makes us whole,

Interwoven, all connected, planet wide and in most soul.

Holy mother, life bestowing, bid our waste and warfare cease.

Fill us all with grace o'er flowing. Teach us how to live in peace.

[Words: Roberta Bard (b. 1940); Music Rowland Hugh Prichard (1811-1887)]