Creating Happiness

Her work desk, in the dimly lit corner of her bedroom, was perfectly in order. Artists paper laid out amongst the many shapes and sizes of bristles of her paintbrushes with paint palettes of acrylic paint made from leftover cardboard cereal boxes-perfectly imperfect, nestled together amongst one another on her desk. Her tool caddy with the different patterned edged scissors and all the tools she'd ever need were right within her reach where she could access them easily. The smooth melody of Billie Holidays "I'll be seeing you" playing in the background, Kayla was about to transcend into her happy place where she could create something beautiful for others in a mindset she could escape within, an alternate reality, if you will.

Kayla positioned herself on a wobbly wooden stool at the edge of her desk and grabbed her ruler, scissors and artists paper; cutting the paper into an 8x10. She was the neighborhood pet portrait painter which was the perfect career that allowed her to stay home and raise her children and paint when her spouse returned from work to help with the kids. As she took a paintbrush in her hand and dipped the tip of it into the paint; Kayla sighed a breath of relief. She finally was given the time she so desperately needed to work on one of the many pet portrait orders that were piling up around her.

Just as soon as the tip of her paintbrush met the surface of her paper, her bedroom door burst open. Both of her toddler girls came rushing in covered nearly head to toe in nail polish and markers. In the chaos of them rushing in, the full water cup meant for the cleaning of paintbrushes spilled all over the surface of Kayla's desk, covering the entire project she had almost had the chance to paint. The shrill cries of hunger from her new baby who was now awoken from his nap echoed down the hallway and the sound filled her room. No longer could she hear the peaceful music inviting her to somewhere else, nor could she any longer see the promises of creating as her eyes were now filled with tears. Not surprisingly, her husband had become distracted in the garage and wasn't watching their kids as he promised he finally would. When would she ever have the opportunity to be taken seriously and be afforded the time she so critically needed to work on her orders? When was she ever going to have the chance to be who she was truly meant to be and create things that brought herself and those around her happiness?

After years and years of similar stories as painted above, Kayla had had enough and embarked on a terrifying yet rewarding journey to find peace, self worth, and the confidence she needed to change her life. She had relocated to her hometown with her 3 children and started their lives over from scratch. With a new blank canvas, the possibilities were endless. Nothing held her back any longer from the life she and her children deserved. She was going to create her own happiness.

Armed with her paintbrushes and various tools of the trade, Kayla powered on. As her children slept at night and all responsibilities of the day were far behind her she whisked away in the quiet of their new apartment with only the jubilant sound of oldies music playing on her old stereo. Painting was a world where she could not only express herself, but bring more happiness to those around her. The ability to create works of art that would have a lasting impression on its new owners. The sweet babies of pet parents had passed away but would forever be memorialized by a person whose heart and mind was free to create meaningful and purposeful art to be cherished for years to come.

This isn't a sad story of a girl who couldn't, but rather of a woman who could and a woman who DID. (And of a woman who will keep on doing too). Despite all odds stacked against her she prevailed. Day in and day out she allowed her creativity to carve out a new life for her and her children. A life where she discovered the perfect and intricate balance of motherhood, being a single parent and working (which was her time for herself.)

The sun shines a little brighter in her new little town. Where she can create and love and spread happiness all around her. You'll find her in the quiet of the night by following the sounds of oldies music down an alley and through a lush garden all the way to the window of her dining room, where she now sits at the table with everything set up perfectly in order, perfectly imperfect. Her paper, brushes, paint, scissors and everything else she needs to create. She created this new world and in this new world is where she will continue to create happiness day in and day out as long as she continues to breathe.