A room with a view

If you are going through a bad time, it sometimes helps to look at the positive things in your life and to count your blessings.And when you have counted them all , you will sometimes be surprised how blessed you are !

Some years ago, I was feeling rather sorry for myself after some medical treatment and was reading the local paper when my eye fell on a small notice  put in by the editor.

" Artist wanted for mural" it read. The story that followed was kind  of heartbreaking.The nurse of a patient in a care home had gone to the paper to ask if they could help.She looked daily after a woman of about my own age.The patient not only had a degenerative disease, and was in a wheelchair .She was so ill that she was completely dependent on her carers for everything.On top of all that, her room that she spent most of her time in, looked out on a stone wall. The care home had no money for any decorations or paintings.The mural had to be done on panels as the wall was part of a historical building and was not supposed to be altered.The care home could afford to repay the paint and the wood, but could not afford an artist's fee.The nurse and the patient hoped somewhere, someone was able to help them.

What the patient liked most of all would be to have something to look at that would cheer her up.
She had been a caterer in her young and busy life with a young family , and going to the markets and looking at market stalls full of glorious and colourful produce, and walking along the busy crowds was something she really missed.

I remember looking at myself , my healthy arms and legs, and feeling ashamed of my good fortune.
I could have been that person , sitting in a wheelchair and looking at a bare wall. Instead , I was healthy and could do loads of things.
I also felt grateful, that in this case , I did have the talent to paint so I could actually do something for someone else who really needed my help.
I could not give her her life and her health back, but I could certainly give her a room with a view.

I called the nursing home and the rest is history.
Joan ( that was the patient's name )  did get her flowers and vegetables, and her room with a view.

This is part of the right hand side of the mural.I painted it on three panels.

The panels were painted in separately away from the site and and then later installed on the wall.
I came to inspect the whole thing, and the colours came up to greet you .
The whole corridor was filled with colour.
But more special than anything, was how happy she was .I will never forget the look of  happiness on her face.

So if you feel bad about yourself or your life, do something good for someone else.You won't regret it.
I never did.I am grateful I could help.And yes- it is better to give than to receive- honestly.
Have a fabulous weekend.
XOXO
Bea


linking to
Inspiration Friday
fancy this friday
show and tell friday
frugal friday
feature yourself friday
feathred nest friday
tickled pink friday
weekend wrapup party