Jessica Foster
Staff WriterLast week, before his family, friends and those who worked so hard to save the lives of his family members, Paul Cram said thank you in the best way he knows how.
Cram created ìWyoming Fields,î an original oil painting, for Fairview Regional Medical Center in Wyoming.
The painting, which will be hung in the entrance to the hospitalís emergency department, was dedicated in a special ceremony Thursday, February 12.
With sunlight streaming in, Fairview staff, Cram family members, EMTs and passersby took time to commemorate the gift.
ìIím so thrilled and honored that thereís paramedics here and doctors and staff here for this,î Cram said while addressing the audience.
ìWyoming Fieldsî is painting number 3 in Cramís Paths of Light series. It was created as a tangible appreciation for the work of doctors, nurses, staff, firefighters and paramedics who aided Cramís family in a January, 2000 car crash.
Also part of the series are ìSummer in Loring Parkî which was donated to Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) in Minneapolis, ìConservatory,î which now hangs at Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul and ìStill Waters,î which was created for St. Josephís Hospital in St. Paul.
Background
The paintings would not be here if it wasnít for the tragic events of January 5, 2000. Linda Cram and her children Joseph and Isaiah were traveling the ice-slicked pavement of CR-22 when their Honda Civic lost control and slid into the path of a three quarter ton Ford pickup, which struck the driverís side.
That night, Paul Cram lost his mother, Linda Cram, just 51. His mom, Cram has said, was one of the cool moms who encouraged him to try new things. As his home school teacher, she concentrated on art with her sonís education.
His brother, Joe, slipped away in a coma on March 11 in Bethesda Rehabilitation Hospital in St. Paul.
Another brother, Isaiah Cram, walked away from the ordeal with just a slight scar to his body.
Full circle
With last weekís dedication, the circle has ended. There are no more memorial paintings to paint, no more dedications to attend.
ìIím really excited theyíre done,î Cram said of the series. ìBut itís kind of bitter sweet. It was fun working on them. It feels doneósort of like a journey thatís over. But in a really good way.
Looking around the lobby of the Wyoming Hospital, Cram was beaming with pride.While the doctors, nurses, EMTs and other staff admired the painting, they complemented Cram for his artistic ability.
But for Cram, it is the ability to heal that he finds most impressive.
ìEvery day, Iím just amazed thereís people that can do what doctors do,î he said.
Pam Torkkola is a registered nurse who cared for Joseph Cram. Four years after that fateful day, Torkkola said she has not forgotten.
ìThat this is going on (the dedication) is a tribute to him. Itís going to continue to give to everybody who walks into that ER lobby,î she said.
Dave Moen is medical director of the emergency services area at Fairview Wyoming.
While he did not attend the Cram emergency, he represented the men and women who did. At the dedication, he carried a Polaroid picture of a man he had resuscitated at a recent Gopherís basketball game. That patient and the Crams, affect the lives of doctors like him in positive ways, he said.
Moen lauded Cramís ability to take a tragic event and, through his artistic talents, create something positive.
While thank yous are not expected, they are much appreciated, Moen said.
ìWe donít expect thank yous, but we appreciate them,î Moen said.ìOur staff does great work day in and day out. Theyíre very dedicated and very committed. A public thank you is very much appreciated.î
The series has brought about new opportunities, as Cram now is working on a series of garden paintings, also for hospitals. He has sold a painting to Bethesda and plans to do more.
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