Friendship

Herons hold special significance to me. When I was pregnant with my daughter and was 16 weeks past my due date (fine, it was only one week but it FELT like 16!), I’d convinced myself that this child was simply never coming out. On the advice of my doctor, I decided to take a “brisk walk” (ie: a power waddle) around Wilson Pond in Milwaukee with the hope that it would jumpstart labor. I walked circles around the pond for hours, stopping every so often when I got a cramp (and yes, you are correct and they were contractions and not cramps, but I digress), and on my last loop I noticed something out of the corner of my eye. A blue heron was wading in the water. He noticed me watching him and we stood for a moment looking at each other. For the first time in a week, I felt peace. I went home, and a few hours later was at the hospital giving birth to my daughter. Since then, herons have become a symbol of hope to me.

Anyone who has children knows the truth in the old adage “it takes a village”. Throughout my daughter’s life, I have been eternally grateful for my village of family and friends. This painting is a symbol of my gratitude for my loved ones who have taken it upon themselves to wrap my daughter in love: How lucky I am for the people who make up my village.