Two Sisters is a painting by Impressionist, Pierre-Auguste Renoir. It dates to 1881. It has hung at the Art Institute of Chicago since 1933 when bequeathed by a private owner. This lush painting is sprinkled with Renoir’s signature red that pulls our eyes to the two girls in white and blue. Do you think they look like sisters? If you answered no, you are correct. This is actually a faux family portrait. The two subjects were models and not related. It is also sometimes called On the Terrace.

Putting aside that this beautiful work is not as named, this representation of family may be a portal into consideration of our own family relationships in this time of Covid. As everything about this virus is increasing now and the holidays are fast approaching, we may have a unique opportunity this year to look at our family traditions through the lens of these challenging times.

Most of us can admit that the sparkling holidays we conjure may also hold complicated conflict and dysfunction. These could originate from any time in our family history or present and seem to find a place and a voice at many holiday tables. These meals can feel like scripted plays and any resolve to avoid annual heated discussions can dissolve long before the dessert course as we revert to our well-worn parts in the family drama.

This year we are adapting our plans. Most of us will be separated around smaller tables or Zoom screens. A hope could be that these changes will bring us to new discernment around the value and meaning of family. As we find our way through reinvented holidays, we might also find willingness to look at our part in all that is not respectful about our times together and to rewrite that part in meaningful and gracious words and gestures. This year, this gap year for many families, could be what amplifies the precious nature of our gatherings and what inspires living more deeply into the love that is the truth and binding tie between us. Maybe this holiday season will help us add “healing” to the list of adjectives for 2020. May it be so in God’s love and grace.

In hope and faith,

Sandy Prouty

Minister of Children and Families

Montview Church