Today we celebrate what would have been Val’s 30th birthday. My dad found a perfect painting for this special day:

From Pat:

“Happy Birthday Val! You are thirty today. Our little black lab, service dog in training, from the Warrior Canine Connection, “Delaney”, is 11 months old and curled at my feet.   Little Echo, in the painting, is also a service dog.  There is more…

I met John Bramblitt last year at the No Barriers Summit in Utah.  He began painting after losing his sight in 2001 after a series of severe seizures. His artwork is unbelievable. You may remember Val’s motto “Adapt and Overcome”.  John is the living example of that motto and an inspiration for all of us.  Please take the time to check out his paintings and Facebook page.

We did exchange some emails regarding the special meaning of that painting for us.  We do think that our paths will cross again.  I can’t wait to get a signed copy of this painting next week.  It will likely hang next to Melissa Torres’ Poppies and Butterflies that we got last year for Doreen for Mother’s Day (see blog post here)

Wouldn’t it be cool to have John and Echo come to our Second Annual Event on Sept 10^th at Women’s memorial in Arlington.  We will have more labs this year coming with their puppy parents.  Please mark the date and view the event on our Facebook page here.  Get ready to be inspired!”

Val – you are shining brightly on all of us today!