touching Ellie

Last week I worked with my friend Susan in The Houston Heights at a wonderful historical home that had a kitchen remodel and we dusted and cleaned every inch of the downstairs. Sounds like alot of work? Yes, but let me tell you a little story. This family lost their 8 year old daughter, Ellen Snow, 6 years ago to cancer. But Ellie lives on and her spirit is so alive! I had the privilege to carefully handle several pieces of her artwork displayed all throughout this lovely home. There were collections of fish, angels, hearts and paintings. I felt Ellie with me all day long. Her bright shiny sunkissed face remains in my memory as does her artwork like the Christmas Heart painting. Her design was repeated by other artists who created ornaments, mosaic birdhouses, stain glass and even a sterling silver pendant still available here on the MD Anderson Childrens Art Project website. Ellie touched me that day, and somehow continues to remind me how important LIFE and HEALTH is. How precious our moments are with family and loved ones. And how important it is to paint, color, CREATE with all of our children. Her painting has a ribbon wrapped around her sunshine filled heart. A message to us all.