My youngest daughter came into this world in May of 2007. Getting her here was a tad bit of a chore and I assure you that’s an understatement. Ann was hospitalized for three-quarters of her second trimester and all of her third trimester of the pregnancy. I would say, on average, she was having contractions every three minutes from the first day she went into the hospital until the day of my daughter’s birth.

If you can picture it, I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off for months trying to corral my other three daughters while meeting the needs of my career as well as trying to maintain some level of composure because, all in all, my wife and my soon to be daughter were in real trouble and there was nothing I could do.

Hannah, my youngest daughter, came into the world healthy as ox, outside of some jaundice issues and being a few weeks early. Ann suffered a moment of “bleeding out” immediately after the birthing process. Watching that happen scared the piss out of me, but the doctors kicked it into overdrive and Ann quickly recovered.

Given all that had happened, we had to keep a watchful eye on Hannah and her progress over the next eighteen months. My nerves were shot by the end of all of it, as were Ann’s, but to this day, by the grace of God, Hannah remains a pillar of good health.

During those eighteen months, Hannah would cry in the middle of the night as all babies do. Both of us would trade off (evenly) rocking her back to sleep. In those times, Ann started singing a song to Hannah to comfort her…

“Hannah,
Banana,
Cee-Cee,
Seanna.
All she wants to do
Is play the piana (like piano, but different)”

-Repeat (until child falls asleep)

Ever since I heard Ann whisper those words, I have not forgotten them. And as I’m sure most would agree, I had better never forget them!

So in honor of those tiring nights every parent endures, but wouldn’t trade for the world, I present this banana. Every time I see a banana now, I see the compassion in her. I feel the softness and the comfort she can fill a heart with and most importantly, I see her, just as unconditionally as I did when I first laid eyes on her… almost eighteen years ago.

Medium: Watercolors
Size: 6 x 4 (inches)
Materials: 90lb Cold Press Paper
Frame: Mini Wooden Shadow Box with Glass (4 5/8"W x 6 5/8"T x 1.25"D)
Completed: Thursday, October 2, 2014

Artist: Adam Kiger
Represented By: Park View Gallery
Artist's Website: www.adamkiger.com

Who is Ann and what is 31 flavors of love?!