Margaret

	"When I was ready to leave school our class went to Italy for a holiday. That has left beautiful memories which will always stay with me. We were taken sight-seeing and we were told about all the famous historical places, and also the in our spare time we got to go to the beaches to sunbathe. That was the only experience in my life of seeing beautiful colours, and the scenery was unforgettable. After having a lot of hospital help, I was still not able to do very much, but I was given my grand-children’s toy paints and passed time that way. I was shocked to find out just how much I thoroughly enjoyed this special treat given to me by the little ones. I tried to paint unseen pictures, and found absolute pleasure in doing something and could spend many hours at it. How lucky was I? I had to learn to use the opposite hand because the usual one just did not want to know me. Now I am ambidextrous. But this painting came just like a something magical, as it had never been my skill or pleasure before I was in hospital. This was just a pure gift that appeared in my life. My first paintings were not so well done, but they were using peaceable time. The surprises got better as in short time I got better, and people started to look at my efforts. My proudest time was the one painting which I offered to my husband for Christmas and he took it to have it framed. My pride was that I had to take it home again and paint my name on it before they would frame it, and then it was framed. From being so unable and so very very ill, I would not let myself be beaten, and the painting, which I had never done in my life before, I am now so proud of myself having found a hobby, which has given me the push to win. I owe it all to my grandchildren for giving me their own little paint boxes."
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