A Shed, A Mural, and A Memory of My Dad.

The loudest, rooftop shout out to our beautiful and wonderfully talented artist @ellesunart for completely transforming the shed into a work of art. 

Little story…ok a long one but, again, have to share. 
I was sort of feeling let down by a painting company and was complaining to my friend Robyn (a talent musician who will be playing at our grand opening) when she mentioned her friend Elle. Enter Elle who painted the stunning wheat mural in the main bakery. Elle leaves after forming a bond with myself, the staff and my family. Whitney is sad. Elle paints another art piece for the dining room and leaves. Whitney’s sad again. Whitney sees sad shed outside and has a revelation.

I text Elle a photo of the shed and said “hey, I want to make this a space fully dedicated to my dad. I feel like he would have been living on this patio if he was still with us.” Elle responded with enthusiasm and asked what he was like (she came into our lives after his passing). I mentioned my dad’s favourite things which were hunting, fishing, nature, music and of course his zest for life. She threw around some designs, all of which were beautiful but not quite right for either of us. 

Enter Carl to build a beautiful fence. I sent Elle a picture with the new fence and instantly she sends me this design incorporating all of my dad’s favourite things. 
Truth be told, people say “I don’t know how you do it” often and the honest answer is IT REALLY SUCKS SOMETIMES to do it without him. My dad was my best friend, we were similar but different in the right ways and I really wish he could be here to witness this in the flesh. I miss him, a lot, every day. I grab onto every moment that I want to share with him if I even get the chance and I see signs of his presence daily through my kids, or the business and all the beautiful people it’s brought into my life. His kindness surrounds me but I NEEDED this, something permanent. Something that is just for him.

 
Thank you @ellesunart for perfecting capturing the original sunshine in my life, my dad.