Morgan Kate

I am going to attempt to make a long story short. Hopefully.

First, a little background. We have a local artist named Ernest Lee. He is very well known for his chicken paintings, although he paints other things as well. You can find out more about him by visiting this link. 

Now to the story. I hope all of my details are accurate. If not, then someone else should have told the story. 

As my brothers, Owens and Kyle, and Owens' girlfriend, Trenholm, were leaving a USC football game one night they came across Ernest Lee. Ernest's truck had broken down and he was stranded with his art trailer on the side of the road. Owens pulled over and began to assist Ernest Lee. All in all, he helped Ernest Lee get the art trailer to a secure location and took Ernest where he needed to go. If I am not mistaken, I believe Owens even went and picked up Ernest the next day and took him to get the truck. This one act was the start of Owens' and Ernest's friendship. After this encounter Owens would stop by to visit Ernest Lee and on one occasion even took him lunch. They would chat and hang out and just have a good time. 

Fast forward a little. It's getting close to Christmas and Owens notices that Ernest Lee really needs a new table to paint on. So, he tells me parents that instead of getting him a Christmas present, he would like for them to get Ernest a new table. By the way, Owens has a heart the size of Texas. Maybe larger. My parents gladly oblige and we all get together to make it sort of a surprise for Owens. My mom gets a table and one afternoon I meet her at Ernest's spot. We present him with the table, complete with a big red bow, and I take a picture of Mom and Ernest together. We frame the picture, have Ernest sign the mat and then my parents give the framed picture to Owens for Christmas. Ernest also wanted a copy of the picture, so several weeks later I swing by his spot again and drop a copy off. 

End of story. Or so we all thought. 

Several months ago we begin to get word that Ernest has a new painting. And the painting is of my mom. What? Really? Oh my goodness, we have got to see this! So, this past weekend Owens calls his friend Ernest and Ernest tells him that he has a painting of mom and he really wants her to have it. So, Owens stopped by there yesterday on his way home and we now have the infamous painting. Just not sure where my mom is going to put this. 

The minute I saw how large it was I died laughing. It takes up the entire bed of Owens' truck. I have no earthly idea where my mom is going to put this, but I know she will find some special place for it. 

I wanted to share this story for two reasons. One, I think it's really neat that Ernest painted my mom. And second, because it's just another example of how compassionate and caring Owens is. I am so lucky to have him as a brother and friend. And Morgan Kate is so blessed to have him as her uncle. We love you, O!