Today is Draw A Bird Day. Even though it’s not an official holiday, the day holds a special meaning.
The day is designed to bring smiles and joy by drawing a bird. You don’t have to be an artist to participate because no matter how poorly drawn the picture ends up, it always manages to evoke a feeling of happiness.
According to the Draw A Bird Day website, the origins of Draw A Bird Day date back to 1943, when a 7-year-old girl named Dorie Cooper visited her uncle at a hospital in England. Her uncle, who was wounded during the war, was feeling unwell, so she attempted to cheer him up by asking him to draw her a bird.
He drew a robin he could see out the window.
The picture wasn’t the best, but Dorie said she’d hang the drawing in her room and he cheered up. After that, every time Dorie would come back to the hospital, the patients would hold competitions to see who could draw the best bird pictures.
A few years later, Dorie was killed by a car and her coffin was filled with bird pictures from countless people. Since then, they’ve honored the girl by drawing a bird on her birthday.
Regardless of whether this story is 100 percent true or not, the sentiments behind the day are universal.
So when you have the chance today, grab a piece of paper, do your best to draw a bird, and feel the smile creep across your face as you see the finished product.
