DEMOPOLIS &8212; The wall before entering the nursery of Bryan W. Whitfield Hospital was just like every other wall in the building: modest and slightly salmon-colored. With some paint and a little bit of hard work, however, hospital auxiliary volunteer Kathy Patterson transformed the space into a colorful mural.

The idea to spruce up the wall came from the hospital auxiliary president, Alice Boggs. Since Patterson was an elementary school teacher for 20 years, she kept some of her old patterns for classroom displays.

After thumbing through what patterns she kept, she presented her top ideas to the auxiliary for them to pick the design for the wall. Eventually the auxiliary decided on a design and the transformation began.

The wall features three smiling, curly-headed babies being carried through fluffy clouds in hot air balloons in the shape of hearts.

While looking over the wall, Patterson points out minor changes she could make to improve the mural, but everyone that walks by immediately gets a smile on their face.

Chrissy Brooker, director of public relations&marketing said, &8220;Whether she&8217;s working in the gift shop or coordinating a special project, she gives it her best.&8221;

Brooker, along with other admirers of the wall, said the new addition to the hospital was a &8220;special treat.&8221;

Patterson has been a member of the hospital auxiliary for one year this December. She says one of the best things about her job is getting to see so many of her former students.

When she isn&8217;t volunteering with the hospital, she also volunteers her time at Gaineswood.

In the past, she helped with displays at the Demopolis Public Library and also read for story hour for the children.