The Sparrow Returned.

The mynas had taken over our yard, and the sparrows — once so common — simply disappeared.

But recently, they came back.

Hopping, chirping, modest little creatures.

I painted one.

A sparrow - so plain, yet so quietly beautiful.

And her name in Hebrew, Dror, means "freedom."

Such a powerful word, especially now.

Next to the painting, I added the symbol of the hostages.

Because nothing is more opposite to freedom than captivity.

And sometimes, a small bird in watercolour can carry a heavy message.

The painting was chosen as the New Year’s greeting card for the Hefer Valley Regional Council.

That touched me deeply.

In a time, full of noise and sorrow, maybe there's still room -

for a quiet bird,

for hope,