The Rocking Horse and the Mural
Nineteen years ago, I took a rocking horse to my granddaughter for her birthday—a gift that evolved into a much larger story. I carried the rocking horse through several airports, tucked under my arm, and for some reason, I chose to wear a cowboy hat that day. As I passed through Dallas, people couldn’t help but smile and make jokes: “Looking good, cowboy! Love your horse!” It was one of those moments when the kindness of strangers brightened the journey. Eventually, I arrived in Seattle, and the rocking horse was an instant hit. Over the years, all five of my grandkids—Nadia, Nico, Noelle, Slayton, and Turner—have enjoyed it, turning it into a cherished family treasure.
Rocking Horse and the Mural
During that first visit, my daughter Amanda casually suggested something that caught me off guard: “Why don’t you paint a mural for Nadia?” My reaction? “Do what?” I had never painted a mural before, but I was open to trying it. We bought paint and brushes, and then came the next question: What should I paint? Amanda suggested Echo, a horse that held a special place in our hearts. With some hesitation, I began sketching and found a way to project my drawings onto the wall. It felt a bit overwhelming at first, but once I started, the paint flowed effortlessly. Echo quickly came to life, followed by Nadia, whom I decided to include in the mural. We then added a path leading from a barn, a tree, and even an animal perched in the branches. The wall transformed, and I felt a thrill as each new element took shape. That mural became my first real experience painting on such a large scale, and it was a success. It brought together moments of creativity, connection, and joy, and it taught me something valuable: sometimes, when you embrace something completely new and unfamiliar, you discover something amazing.
