So today I had to fly back to my mom's house (from my dad's) and I figured that on the plane I would make a few YCHs to earn a few extra bucks. Over the course of the first hour in the sky I get four done. Next to me sat an older man who was reading a book.
"You're really good." He said.
I was taken aback by his comment because I'm really modest about my art. I tried very hard to hide it from the people sitting next to me but he saw it anyways. I nodded and said thank you a dozen times. He smiled and started asking me about it. He asked if I was self taught (I am), if I was taking classes (I have only been taking them for a couple months, before this school year I couldn't stand art classes), if I had a studio (i said i do if my bedroom counts), and if I make a living off of my art (I said no but one day I would like to). After a while of questions about my art he began talking about his granddaughter and how she likes to draw. He told me about her favorite animal (a club seel) and about how she wants to open an animal rescue when she grows up. He then asks me, "Do you know what a unicorn Pegasus is?"
"You mean an Alicorn?" I asked.
He shrugged and laughed.
"Probably. My granddaughter wants her first rescued animal to be a unicorn Pegasus- er- an Alicorn."
I laughed and told him I thought that was the cutest thing ever and eventually the conversation died. With the end of the conversation, I turned back to my sketchbook and started thinking about the little girl. So, I sketched out Princess Twilight Sparkle from My Little Pony. I tore off the frills and handed it to him. The look on his face was something I will never forget. He was so happy. He thanked me over and over and said that his granddaughter will adore it.
"She's going to try and draw like this, you know." He chuckled.
I almost cried when he said that. It makes me so happy when people use my art and my style to try and better themselves.
The feeling that that little sketch gave us both made the rest of the flight so much better. He tucked it in his book and started reading again. I put away my sketchbook and dozed off shortly after.
The landing plane jolted me awake and I gathered my things. When the man stood up to get his bags from the overhead bin, he pulled out a bill and handed it to me. I was absolutely shocked. I told him I couldn't accept the money and he insisted I take it.
"Please take it," he said, "You said you wanted to make a living off of your art right?"
I took the money and my heart was doing flips. He walked away without another word.

I can already tell that this experience will stick with me forever.

P.S. The grandkid was really freaking cute. She's eight and has a ton of artistic potential.

Thanks for reading guys!