awwwwwww.....Dave, what a heart touching story and scene.....you are such a sweetheart...you did something I know she will always remember and cherish...lots of love, Carol(miss ya)

So wonderful dedication for Veronika!!!

Thank you for sharing - Wonderful image and indeed a story we can relate with :) Superb composition and very expressive characters - excellent work! :)

Awesome Dave! Love the poses and the exppression on the little one!!

Ooohhhhh, how in the world did I miss this one? Another jewel! Another diamond shining oh so brightly! Wow sweety, this is incredible! I can see you certainly treasure being an uncle and it shows!

Excelente composição, ficou perfeito.

Fantastic image and settings!!!Amazing work!!!

Well this one really tells a story about you, Dave! What a sweet and soft hearted dude you are, but we've known that all along just by the images you make and the stories you tell to go with them! This one is special as you share a little about your family with us. Thank you Dave!

This is a cute pic. Thank you for sharing!

LOL You do have a wonderful way of telling them my Friend, And I'm Still laughing here, A Superb creation and story both, And thanks for the SMILES my Friend, All the BEST...

Awww, such an adorable scene ,excellent job with expressions!

I love this one Dave. Wonderful render and story. Nuttin more heart breaking than a crying child. You did good on this one. I tried a similar thing with those talking dolls...heh. Because the can be REALLY annoying. When you heard that doll say.. momma i'm hungry. one million times.. You really start to hate it :) But one can never tell that to a child which LOVE her talking doll. That would be too nasty. This is where the patience and understanding of a decent adult should shine through. And it did for you i see.:)

This is a cute image and I am glad you shared it and corresponding life snippet with us! :) You have a big heart, Dave, and I am so pleased and happy for you that you love your sister and nieces so much. Your love for your family, your understanding of the importance of family is an inspiration to us all. My God bless you richly and be pleased to reveal Himself fully to you! :)

Wonderful story and art. It brought tears to my eyes

Not fair Dave! How did the story end?? You have me hanging on the edge of my seat here. Were you able to fix her after all? Did you have to replace her, if so did your niece keep the old one? And hey! What's dolly's name? Awwwwwww...just giving you a hard time LOL!! What a great uncle you are! I know how siblings can be but gee...she's just a wee one. My daughter had a favorite movie Annie when she was 5. Well if we saw that movie once we saw it a hundred times. It drove my entire family crazy. Grandma and Grandpa had to watch it when ever they visited. It went with her when she visited them. It was the only way to get her to go to bed at night. hmmm... a two hour bedtime story. She had red patent leather shoes that clicked when she walked and absolutely refused to take them off. I would have to take them off after she fell asleep. My daughter Katie knew every word, every song, every step by heart. One day the movie went missing, (her older brother still hasn't owned up to it, but will one day LOL). She was in dance school at the time and that year she took tap. I never said a word to my family, we practiced in secret. So you can imagine the surprise on her brothers and the rest of my family's face when she had a solo doing Annie!! She wasn't supposed to do any singing, but she just couldn't help herself, she did her routine and sang her little heart out for all it was worth! So yeah, I get whole heartedly your wanting to make those sad eyes smile. Bet your her favorite person in the whole world too. A fantastic render... I do enjoy your work and the stories that created them so much. ~Michelle~

I've been periodically dropping by to see if there has been any activity in the upload dept. A very light hearted story, and the fact that you went the "extra mile" to put the joy back in your nieces heart, was good to hear. I see you going the extra mile here in the galleries all the time too, nurturing the artist in us all. Thanks magnus!!!

well, the moment is certainly common to anyone who remembers childhood, and you capture it with great sensitivity not only in the image but in your words...Of course you have all that human detail, the poses of the far-sisters (far, space-wise)—one standing & one sitting (there's always a choreography in how you place people inside your frame). In the batteries in Veronica's hands, the shadows across her, the detailing on Aschlynn's dress, even the unkempt hair on her doll, and even the hair strands astray on your head (on and on), you show your attention to the details that make us human. Your shadows are true everywhere—on you, your pants, on the rug, etc.—and it's all bathed in a kind of earth-tone from the floor & rug. The outside looks inviting; and I like the light-play on your neck and arm. (Several hues in there; they're not monolithic, as many of us would opt for, for ease if nothing else.) And above all, you captured a moment, sad but not too; and hopeful; and with a lot of love in your face & Aschlynn's, and the usual counterpoint from siblings. Another sensitive work from your hands, and reminder of what we all have been through. Just lovely.

Having four kids myself I can so relate how important something like this is to a young child...great story and wonderful Image...I've really got to say I love all your images and truly hope you can continue your posting...I enjoy looking at them...I don't post much myself, kinda a chicken...I do lousy work...lol...but love taking photographs so I've posted a few of those...very glad your sisters feeling better, even as late this post may be to hearing of this...I don't get around to checking out as many artists work as I should. So glad I found yours! Keep up the wonderful work! 5+ for you! :-)

Beyond gorgeous, you finally did manage to bring tears to my eyes. Not only are you a fantastic artist you have a magical way with words, and in many languages. I have highest regard for storytellers and you are one of the best... you have to have lived a life of compassion to write like this.

So sweet... lovely image and composition. wonderful!!

What a fabulous story Dave! As usual it sparked a memory of my own:-) We lived beside the railroad tracks in a small town, I think I was about 7 years old. I got mad at my mom for some reason and went and packed my hanky with a peanut butter sandwich and my fav doll and tied it on the end of a stick...then set out down the railroad track, I was running away from home. Thankfully now, I was caught just a couple minutes later and my step dad used that stick to whip my behind all the way back home which seemed like forever! Forgetting my doll I went screaming into the house and was immediately sent to bed. That night it rained and my poor doll that had been left outside swelled up to three times her size. I was devastated of course and promised my mom I wouldn't run away again if she would fix her...so that night while I slept my mother performed an appendectomy and the nest day I woke up to see the surgical scar on her tummy but she was okay!!! Lol, too funny how children think! This story tells alot about Uncle Dave:-) That heart showing again and such a sweet image for Veronica!

awww...this is so sweet Dave :D

what a nice lady,,,lovely situation, god work as allways

MERAVIGLIOSA SCENE AND STORY...BRAVISSIMO MY FRIEND..!!!!

Immagine che tocca il cuore e mi fa pensare : per anni sono stato zio ( il preferito dai nipoti )e avrei fatto pazzie per loro. Avrei fatto esattamente come te e riesco a percepire la tua grande soddisfazione . E avrei fatto c ancora come te , nascondendo la cosa , ma è giusto che le persone care sappiano il bene che vuoi a loro !Davvero una bella storia e una grande immagine ! Image that touches the heart and makes me think: For years I have been uncle (preferred by the grandchildren) and I would do crazy things for them. I did exactly like you and I can feel your great satisfaction. And I would c still like you, hiding something, but it is right that people know the good care you want them now really a good story and a great image!

I love the stories behind your images. They're so interesting. You're a kind person, Dave. Very kind. And so talented. This image is great! How'd you shrink the doll so small? :-) Anyhow, amazing work, as always. You have such a distinct style, and I admire all your images!

Poor little! It's always a drama when we are child, when toys don't work. You make a great representation of this moment! Have an excellent week!