Surrounded by Love, Always

For quite some time now, I've been intending to put together a "vision board."  You know--one of those little personal collages spattered with meaningful words, phrases, and images cut out from magazines I'm supposed to look at daily to remind myself of all things I want to see manifest in my physical life.  But, knowing me, my "vision board" would probably be something I'd labor obsessively to perfect and yet still tuck away out-of-sight the moment anyone drops in for a visit.   That is, if I ever get around to creating it in the first place.

The idea somehow came to mind that my board could be an actual work of art--which could be proudly (and permanently) displayed.  And, no sooner than I settled on that idea did I know who should create it.

Since I first started pet-sitting for a local artist named Lori Portka, I've acquired several of her prints.  Lori herself is a wonderfully sweet and kind person, and each of her mixed-media paintings radiate that same energy.  They hang around my home for the sheer purpose of infusing cheerfulness--I can't help but smile whenever I look at them.

Needless to say, I was thrilled when Lori agreed to create a custom painting for me, in trade for pet-sitting services earlier this summer.  I simply told her I wanted something that reflected me and my dream of working with animals.  Everything else had been left up to Lori and her creative magic.

I came home last Monday afternoon to find this 20x20 canvas tucked securely in my doorway.

Tears were streaming down my face when I called to thank her and tell her how much I appreciated it--even though those words didn't seem to begin to scratch the surface of my true sentiments.  It couldn't be any more perfect.

The cats and dogs and rabbits were probably obvious inclusions, though they are adorable.  But I was completely taken aback by the presence of the horse.  My childhood love of animals stemmed almost as much from our family dog as it did from my sudden awe over pictures my aunt's fiance shared with me of his family's horses in Arizona.  I rode for a few years in my early teenage years (after begging my parents for riding lessons for years).  Although my English dressage career ended after I suffered a broken shoulder in a riding accident when I was about 14, I've never lost my affinity for all things equestrian and have been secretly longing to get back in the saddle in the near future.  There's no way Lori knew any of this beforehand.

Lori chose the affirmation, "surrounded by love, always," because she interpreted my recent changes to be pointing to an overarching goal of creating a life I love.  (You can read a little more about the meaning behind it on Lori's blog.)  It's just so amazingly fitting!

I'm grateful to Lori for her talent and friendship, and for showing me how I'm doing just what the painting says--surrounding myself with what brings me joy and soaking in every drop of its sweetness.

So what about you?  What would your painting look like?  What is it that would make you feel surrounded by love?  (And maybe you should have Lori Portka help you create it!)