~ A Work of Heart ~
It all started one day when a very sweet gal walked into a scrapbook store with her husband. This gal was shopping when she came across a store sample I had made . . . the project pictured below.
She admired the photos in the project and said, ‘I want to paint that photo.’ Her husband looked a little closer and said, ‘I know that little girl. That’s Cheryl’s daughter.’ Small world . . . we work together.
In the meantime, before this took place I had sent a few things home with this individual from work to give to his daughter that was beginning to take an interest in scrapbooking. She gave me the sweetest thank you note using some of the things I had given her. She was so grateful.
Recently, I was invited by this gal to attend a school function of her daughter’s. I did so and what did I find? I was so taken back when I walked up and saw the portrait of my daughter Abigail displayed. The tears began to flow.
I was standing there all alone and couldn’t believe my eyes. I thought, ‘what a beautiful piece . . . what talent . . . that’s my little girl . . . that’s absolutely precious.’ I stood back and watched as others admired the artist’s beautiful artwork. The portrait was displayed next to the photo. The original photos alone were so precious to me of our one and only “Princess Abigail” but wow . . . this.
Well, I sought out this gal and we struck up a conversation. We both talked for a while about our daughters. We both have one and are grateful to the Lord for our girls. Then the cutiest little girl with sweet freckles and a big smile greeted me and gave me a hug. She thanked me for the scrapbooking goodies I had sent her way. She was a doll.
Do you know . . . that sweet gal that walked into that scrapbook store several months ago, that talented artist . . . she gave me that precious portrait? I still can’t believe it. There are times in your life when you are taken back by people’s acts of generosity. This is one of those times. This sweet gal hardly knew me and here she had given me a priceless gift that my family will cherish for years to come.
The next morning Rodney and I had Abigail close her eyes when we snuck the painting in. We had her open her eyes and this was her reaction . . .
The sweet look on Abigail’s face when she realized she was the little girl in the painting was incredible. I only wish the artist could have seen her reaction.
Teri (the artist) gave of her talent, time and heart to paint this beautiful portrait. My family and I are so incredibly touched and blessed. I am so grateful and I don’t think Teri will ever realize just how much. She has given us truly a priceless ”"Work of Heart.”
Kelly Jo says:
June 28th, 2007 at 11:52 amThat’s a beautiful story and a beautiful painting of a fairy princess. =)
holly says:
June 28th, 2007 at 12:06 pmAbsolutely Beautiful, Cheryl! What a special gift.
Lisa M. Pace says:
June 28th, 2007 at 12:06 pmWhat a wonderful moment. This portrait is incredible and certainly one that will be cherished for a lifetime. TFS
melanie says:
June 28th, 2007 at 12:10 pmAwesome! What a precious story. Thanks for sharing your blessing with us.
melanie
Jennie says:
June 28th, 2007 at 12:11 pmwhat a great story! So glad you were able to see the painting. It will be a treasure for years to come! And, what a great way to pay it forward and receive in return!
Vicki says:
June 28th, 2007 at 12:14 pmHolly,
What a touching and heartwarming story. How wonderful for you to have received such a priceless gift. This is a reminder that some amazing people are still in our world today.
Congratulations!
Mary Ann says:
June 28th, 2007 at 12:14 pmWhat an amazing gift! The painting is beautiful.
Sucha special memory for your family.
Yessica says:
June 28th, 2007 at 12:17 pmWhat a sweet story. Thanks for sharing. And the portrait……it’s incredible!
JennC says:
June 28th, 2007 at 12:18 pmThat is a wonderful story and an even more wonderful painting to go with it.
Tracy says:
June 28th, 2007 at 12:18 pmWow…isn’t God good!! What a blessing and what a gift. The pictures and painting are beautiful. My Dad is an artist and works with oils so I know what went into that painting…not only time but love.
Jacinta says:
June 28th, 2007 at 12:30 pmWhat a beautiful story Cheryl. I have tears in my eyes. The photos are georgeous, but you’re right the painting is mindblowing. What a thoughful gift to be cherished forever.
Lynda says:
June 28th, 2007 at 12:42 pmWhat a wonderful story…and a beautiful gift. Amazing! Thank you for sharing this!
MichelleO says:
June 28th, 2007 at 12:47 pmHow beautiful. I have had something similar… well sort of. We raise mini donkeys and a photo of one of our babies and momma was givin to a local artist, this baby is very special as we had just lost one before due to breech birth. Fast forward almost a year and a package arrives in the mail. The pen and ink drawing of my donkeys, with a note from the artist saying that they were his most popular print of the year and he had sold a great number of them and he wanted me to have it. The talent these artist have and time that it takes to make something beautiful and then to just give it away, each time I look at that art my heart smiles. I can see that your painting will be a joy in many years to come.
Naomi says:
June 28th, 2007 at 1:31 pmWhat a precious gift to recieve. A beautiful painting of a beautiful girl too. Great story to share.
fran heupel says:
June 28th, 2007 at 1:34 pmWow cheryl,
what a beautiful story and a wonderful portrait painting of your daughter the princess. Treasure that painting always and it is something you can pass on to your daughter when she gets older.
Fran
Colleen E aka Chi-girl says:
June 28th, 2007 at 1:43 pmOh, what a super sweet story Cheryl. She’s adorable. Maybe you should send the artist a link to this - or email her the succession of photos…priceless look.
Mandiannie says:
June 28th, 2007 at 1:44 pmAs an artist I know how much time it takes to paint something like that..it’s absolutely, stunningly beautiful. The whole picture gives a fairytale like carefree feeling to me when I look at it. Thanks for sharing such a sweet and touching story.
Brenda says:
June 28th, 2007 at 2:49 pmThat surly is a piece of heart! I’m a painter myself but I have never tried painting a human before. It is beautiful!
Dawn says:
June 28th, 2007 at 3:31 pmI love your project and the painting is gorgous.
The look on your daughters face is wonderful when she realizes it’s her.
It’s so nice to read something happy.
kelley says:
June 28th, 2007 at 3:34 pmThanks for sharing your story,the painting is beautiful.
Kelley
Heather the Mooselover says:
June 28th, 2007 at 4:04 pmWhat a beautiful story. How lovely that she gave you the portrait- you’ll treasure that forever. My DD is an “only” too so I know how precious your princess is to you.
Vanessa Baker says:
June 28th, 2007 at 5:14 pmThat is such an awesome gift and so precious and generous for a person to give so much for your heart and soul! That really touched me!
Elena says:
June 28th, 2007 at 5:42 pmdang it, I cry at everything!! darn you cheryl! just loved it!!
Elena
doverdi says:
June 28th, 2007 at 6:20 pmWhat a beautiful story & a beautiful portrait. I am so glad that she gave it to you. It’s definately a treasure.
I love your project that you made of your DD. I know exactly how you feel about your DD. My son (he’s 21 now) is my only child & a miracle child at that. I had always hoped & dreamed of having a large family and for awhile it didn’t look as if I’d have any children. I am so thankful & blessed that I have my perfect, precious (spoiled) DS.
Karen Harris says:
June 28th, 2007 at 6:24 pmWhat a wonderful painting and memory! Abbey is so beautiful - just like her Mother.
Jessica Sim says:
June 28th, 2007 at 7:23 pmThat painting is gorgeous! What a sweet guesture! Your daughter is very cute and looks just like you!
Shirley says:
June 28th, 2007 at 9:15 pmWhat a beautiful portrait!!!!!! How very thoughtful of Teri to give it to you. I believe that I am in my 4th quarter of life and “it’s a small world” never fails to amaze me… Things happen every day that are just unbelievable coincidences. This was the greatest…
Candy says:
June 28th, 2007 at 10:03 pmCheryl,
Such a beautiful story. What a wonderful gift this artist gave to you(& your daughter).
Your daughter is beautiful and a special little girl. I love the motion in the picture - what little girl hasn’t loved twirling in a pretty dress!
Darling!
Debbie Buckland says:
June 28th, 2007 at 10:04 pmFantastic story!
Great painting. I have painted portaits of my Daughter but haven’t had time to do one of Ethan.
She was a very talented artist!
Veronica says:
June 28th, 2007 at 11:12 pmI love pictures and things like that that have a lot of backstory. I’m sure it will get retold often!
Mary Mc says:
June 28th, 2007 at 11:32 pmLove your story amazing! That picture of Abigail is adorable…but that painting is just breathtaking…I showed dh tonight he was amazed at how beautiful the painting was too…It’s so wonderful that she gave it for you to have!
Michelle Collins says:
June 29th, 2007 at 2:57 amThat is so sweet. And your daughter is beautiful, just like her mom
Nic #1033 says:
June 29th, 2007 at 4:58 amCheryl what an amazing gift!! I know your family will treasure it!
Sandy Wilkins says:
June 29th, 2007 at 8:52 amWhat a beautiful picture and painting! I am so glad the artist is sharing this with you.
Krafty Wahine says:
June 30th, 2007 at 4:02 amWow! That’s awesome!! That is a wonderful story. And the portrait of Abigail is beautiful. And you deserve it. I firmly believe ‘What goes around, comes around’!!
Congrats to you!
JenSmack says:
July 1st, 2007 at 9:37 pmThat is such a wonderful story - what an amazing gift! And what a talented artist!!
Gabrielle says:
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:08 amGod brings people into our lives for a reason and you were blessed enough to share something so special with this artist.
What a gorgeous painting! Really inspires you to do kind things for others “just because”.