Years ago, when my son and my now daughter-in-law Melanie were dating, she stopped by my home office and asked if I’d like to see her drawings. I didn’t know her well at the time, and I thought this would be a wonderful ice breaker, so, I said, “Sure, I’d love to.” A little backstory, this young woman was studying to be an R.N. “During my breaks, “she explained, “I’ve been sketching the preemies in the nursery.”

I’d been prepared to pay her the requisite, “Good job.” What I wasn’t prepared for was to be blown away by her talent. In charcoal pencil, she’d captured the essence of these sleeping babies and the detail was incredible. I was both touched and a little ashamed that I’d underestimated her.

Turns out, I wasn’t the only one. Her mother did too! In kindergarten Melanie drew a picture of a dinosaur and took it home to show her family. “This is terrific,” her mother said. “Did you trace this?”


Melanie Jane Addison (Age 5)

“No, Mommy, I drew it.” 

And that very very smart mother replied, “Well, I guess we better enroll you in art lessons.”




Melanie Jane Addison Bell 

When I was young, I was a perpetual daydreamer and loved to write stories. Fortunately, I was encouraged by my parents and my teachers. Their generosity led me to pursue a lifelong dream of writing. 

I so appreciate parents, grandparents, teachers and others who acknowledge and nurture a child's passion. The Creative Process: You just never know where it may lead.