My Buggers

One of my former students from Arts Magnet blessed me with the painting above. I bought the supplies, and we agreed on a price after I told her my story and what I had in mind for her to create for me.

You see, from the time my first grandson was born (7 yrs. this July), I have been Yola. Yola is the African name for Firefly. Remember playing with the fireflies at night when we were kids? I do. I was always so fascinated and amazed at their ability to show light. As a little girl, I always wondered, "How do they do that!?"

When I saw the name Yola and what it stood for in a book of African names, I said, "That's it! That's what I want ALL my grandchildren and on to call me. I want my grandchildren and their children's children to call me Yola (my grandmothers on both sides are still living and enjoying their great great grandchildren)." I want my grands to see my light and wonder, "How does she do that?" If you look close, you can see me in the middle of the picture...shining bright.

I have four grandchildren, now. I named each one as they were born. The first one is Bumble Bee. He's in the middle, to the left. My second grandson is Dragonfly. He's on the top right, just above me. My third grandchild is my first granddaughter. She is Ladybug. There she is in the bottom left corner. Last, but certainly not least, my fourth grandchild is Butterfly. And there she is on the bottom right.

A year ago, on his birthday, we inducted Papa Red into our Bugger's Hall of Fame. If you look close, he is the Caterpillar at the very top, to the left, watching over us all.

Painting by: Erica Hayter, graduate of Booker T. Washington High School For The Performing and Visual Arts, Dallas, TX.