Once again, it's Draw a Bird Day! On April 8 we
celebrate the birthday of Dorie Cooper, who in 1943, visited her
uncle in the hospital, as he was recovering from a land mine injury
during World War II. He was understandably upset and depressed at
the loss of a leg and, in an effort to cheer him up, Dorie asked him
to draw her a bird.
He complied with her request and they
laughed at his poor artistic skills, but she promised to display his
bird in her room, anyway. After this first visit, every time she would come to see her
uncle, the soldiers on the ward would hold bird drawing contests to
see who could come up with the best picture. It always seemed to lift
everyone's spirits.
Sadly, about three years later, Dorie
perished in an automobile accident. At her funeral, the soldiers,
nurses and doctors from her uncle's ward filled her coffin with bird
drawings in her honor and her birthday has become an unofficial
celebration of Dorie's bright and indomitable spirit and an excellent reminder
to find joy in life's simple delights.
Here's an
invitation to draw a bird for Dorie's birthday. Your
drawing doesn't have to be fancy or accurate – remember, her
uncle's was pretty bad. But if you're great at drawing birds, show
off your skills! This year, I drew a playful bluebird of happiness,
thinking of the 8 year old Dorie.
Don't forget to share your drawing with someone to spread the joy and honor
Dorie's memory.
Happy Draw a Bird Day!