There is a little girl named Ella who lives in the sky. Like the famed Peter Pan, Ella will never grow up. You may be asking, what does a little girl do up in the sky all day unsupervised? Well, Ella is a very responsible young lady. She keeps things pretty tidy and makes sure to eat three meals a day. Her favorite food is shepherd’s pie and every now and again she will treat herself to a banana split. She enjoys watching airplanes pass by, seeing little faces staring wistfully out of those circular windows, and reading. But the thing that she believes she was created to do is paint!

With a voracious curiosity, Ella expresses her questions and feelings through art. Every morning and evening, like clockwork, she gets out her brushes and colors. She puts on a smock and closes her eyes. Colors and images fill her mind. Then, she begins. She paints the sky all different colors. On days when she feels low, the sky is often painted with clouds and grays and blues. At her happiest, you may see an evening enveloped in pinks and oranges. Every day is different and full of emotion. Ella sees beauty in it all and gives thanks for having feelings to share. She hopes that, somehow, it helps the people below and reminds them that each day is a gift. So, if you ever find yourself looking up at the sky around dawn or dusk, please think about Ella and her gifts she shares. May it encourage you to share your gifts and seek creativity in the world around you— be it through art, emotion, friendship, or a delicious shepherd’s pie!