"The Dorset Quarry" by Thomas Torak
In the second to last chapter of my book Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me: A Memoir… of Sorts, I describe a life-changing experience with my kids at the Dorset Quarry, a beautiful swimming hole near our summer home in Vermont. Toward the end of that story I write about asking an artist to paint a scene capturing the events of that incredible day.
“I commissioned a local artist to paint an oil of the quarry on a typical summer’s day, brimming with people of seemingly every tribe and nation. If you look closely in the left-hand corner of the canvas, there are three kids in midair, holding hands. They have just leaped off the Forty. These are my children…“
Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me: A Memoir…Of Sorts came out June 7th and since then I’ve received a number of emails from folks asking if I would post a picture of the painting. I recently gave a reading of that story at a Barnes & Noble and several attendees told me they’d like to see it as well.
The painting hangs over the fireplace and is the centerpiece not only of our living room but of the whole house. I zoomed in on the left corner so you can see my kids in flight, but you still get a sense of the painting as a whole.
Thomas Torak is the artist.
11 Responses to ““The Dorset Quarry” by Thomas Torak”
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Jesus, My Father, The CIA, and Me
“When I first discovered the grainy picture in my mother’s desk—me as a towheaded two year old sitting in what I remember was a salmon-orange-stained lifeboat—I was overwhelmed by the feeling that the boy in the boat was not waving and laughing at the
My husband and I read your memoir. It is incredible and the end chapters really show how God redeems us and uses us because of the pain we suffer. Our book club is discussing it this Sunday at Church. It will stimulate so much discussion and hopefully encourage us each one to become a friend for those God brings along to our life. Please continue to write because you can reach our youth in ways others cannot. I am excited in the ways that people are looking for God outside of the Church. That is where you find Jesus working and looking for us to join him. Radically authentic is what Jesus calls me to be and If I follow Him He will change me . Blessings
Hi Laura,
I think you meant this reply to go in my last post but, what the heck, here it is! Thanks for weighing in!
Yes and I attend a Church that does that. However in many churches I have been in it is a dead service, more focused on being right than lifting worship to God. But what I see among the college students and others is a search for what happens on Monday. How do I, as one trying to follow Jesus ,reach out to others and point them back to Him. It must be the life I struggle to live as authentically as possible that is different. For me it involves a community of Jesus followers who hold me accountable and encourage me. Many today find that community outside of the traditional church. Rather they are living among the very poor, offering safe houses to kids for homework help and friendship, or homes where the women in the neighborhood can learn skills of homemaking and reinforce their worth as Moms and wives. Some of these people are leaving the churches and finding their church in the neighborhoods.
Thanks so much for posting the picture of the painting. It would be hard to name a favorite part of your book but this would be close. I have spent so much of my own life overcoming fear and this passage brought a big lump to my throat as I read it. I can imagine what the painting must mean to you and your family.
Thanks, Bob. I’m glad you connected with the story and the painting.
Thanks for sharing the painting. I also have a large commissioned painting of a special memory hanging over the mantel of our fireplace and the fact that you had this memory painted resonated with me. Our book club read your book last month and there was some wonderful discussion around this scene in the book. It was a favorite of many in our group and we all appreciated it. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Donovan, I’m glad we both have “memory paintings” over our mantles. I’m also delighted your book group enjoyed a discussion around that scene in the book. Its one of my favorites.
Cheers,
Ian
I just finished your book last night- read it in two days! I hopped to this site, and was delighted to see this post! What a wonderful story with your kids.
I am a youth pastor with my husband, and have worked with students for many years. I know the pain that many kids grow up in, and have stood with many through the questioning, the seeming no way out. But your book, your telling of your story was so insightful, so helpful for me. Thank you. It should be a “must read” for everyone working in youth/student ministry.
I will definitely be giving your book as gifts, and recommending it to many people!
Feel free to write many more books
Thanks for this wonderfully encouraging post. I’m always glad to hear that folks in student ministry have read the book and appreciated it. Every good thing to you!
Ian
I have read your book twice. It was recommended to me by an amazing episcopalian friend in Nashville. I have heard that if you listen long enough, eventually someone will tell your story. Well, I just read it, more or less. As a psychotherapist and someone who continues to wrestle with the question of faith and spirituality, I am always attempting to contextualize my past and present. My reality and the more amorphous parts of myself. I was moved to tears several times. You have helped and I am grateful. Please keep writing.
Hi Johan,
Thanks for this beautiful comment. I’m glad the book connected with you. Blessings on the journey.