Natalie

This is Natalie's story, told by Anastasia, the artist who painted this lovely portrait of Natalie:

Natalie's Story

When I first met Natalie, she was no longerin this world.

I had just started my own chemotherapysessions for breast cancer and her story touched me deeply. Almost a year later, I wascommissioned to paint Natalie’s portrait by her mother.

I worked from pictures and stories.Often Iwould cry as I looked at a video of happy times, and at the heart wrenching images thatshowed how her illness disfigured her beautiful features.

As the design progressed, and the paintingtook shape, I got closer and closer to the little brave and strong girl that was Natalie.

Her face became prettier every day as her soul shined from her eyes. And I forgot theravages of her illness and I finally felt that she was always beautiful, and she willcontinue to be so in my heart and my memory.

Please click on the image to download
"For Natalie" from our "Spring" collection

"I first saw Anastasia's paintings whenthey were on display at the
Cancer Counseling Center that we both attended. I was struck by how realistic herportraits were. I couldn't think of anyone more perfect to paint a portrait of Natalie.

Everyday when I look at Natalie's painting, I count my blessings that we were allowed tolove this special, brave, and funny little girl, if even for a short time. What shecontributed to our lives is indescribable. Even though cancer is very, very hard, we knowthat Natalie lived the life she was meant to live and we were able to give to her as muchof life as possible. Our family is so much richer in life because we are blessed to callNatalie "my daughter" and "my sister"."

..........by Natalie's mom, Jill.

We would like to express our gratitude both to Anastasiaand Natalie's mother, Jill, for allowing us to share the story of this very special littlegirl with you. The cat in the picture was Natalie's favorite cat "Daisy".Natalie died in 1998 at the age of 9 from brain cancer.

The painting "Natalie" on which this stationerywas based is copyright (c) 1999-2000 by Anastasia,and is used with premission.

This stationery and the "Spring" collection arededicated to the memory of Natalie.

Thundercloud & Eightball, February, 2000.