"Happier Days" West Nickel Mines Amish School

First in the series

On the back of the print from the

Artist Elsie Beile

The Nickel Mines Community is my Neighborhood, and I was deeply affected by the happenings of October 2 '06 at the West Nickel Mines Amish School. I Knew that eventually I wanted to do a painting of the school. As I remember driving by in earlier times, and seeing the children playing happily, the simple games that they so much enjoy

Prayers and tears mix with my paints as I worked with pencil and brush in hand. The parents and extended families of those dear children were alwats on my heart, along with all the courageous people who responded in so many ways to their emergency.

I pray that we will always carry in our lives the Joy and Happiness of the children, along with the spirit of forgiveness shown by the parents and families of the Nickel Mines Community.