Ollula sat cross-legged on the wooden floor, pencil in hand, lost in the gentle sweep of her lines. Her eyes flickered between her sketchbook and the sunbeams that danced across her drawings, yet doubt lingered in her heart. She often wondered if her work was good enough, or if her dreams would ever take flight.
Ollula’s mother reached over, squeezing her hand. "Your art is the window to your soul, Ollula. Never be afraid to share it with the world."
Ollula’s father smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Remember, confidence grows each time you take a chance. We believe in you, always."
Ollula felt warmth bloom inside her, their words wrapping around her like a protective blanket.
The thunder outside seemed to echo the ache in Ollula’s chest. Her parents were gone—taken suddenly—and with them, her sense of purpose faded. The art supplies in her studio gathered dust, untouched as days blurred into weeks, and weeks into years.
Ollula wandered the room, fingertips trailing across forgotten sketches. Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered to the empty air, "I don’t know how to do this without you." The silence pressed on her shoulders, making even the smallest brushstroke feel impossible.
Yette, her eldest sister, placed a gentle hand on Ollula’s shoulder. "You’re not alone, Ollula. Let’s create something beautiful together—something that would make Mom and Dad proud."
Sandy, her childhood friend, unpacked a fresh set of paints. "We see your light, even when you can’t. Let’s fill this room with color again."
Surrounded by love and encouragement, Ollula felt hope flicker once more.
With each stroke, Ollula poured her heart onto the canvas—memories of laughter, warmth, and the gentle wisdom of her parents. Her sisters and friends watched quietly, offering smiles and silent support as the tribute unfolded. As the last ray of sunset touched her finished masterpiece, Ollula realized that her parents’ love still lived within her art.
Ollula stood before her tribute, a sense of calm washing over her. "I won’t give up. I’ll carry you with me, always, in every color and every line." Surrounded by her loved ones, she knew her journey as an artist—and as a daughter—was only just beginning.
