I seem to have a way of finding art. Or rather—art seems to have a way of finding me.

Back in 2008, I told you how I’d found an abandoned painting leaning against one of the famous lions at the main branch of the New York Public Library, and later learned that artist Kael Cabral did that sort of street project a lot. It was a joyful thing to have occurred, and I never expected to make such a serendipitous discovery again.

Then came the Kansas City Worldcon.

As I waited a little over a week ago to be picked up by my Uber, I happened to look behind me and spot this small painting leaning against the outer glass wall by the airport exit. I was intrigued. Could I have encountered a second example of free street art?

An examination of the 5″ x 7″ piece showed—yes, I could!

Written on the back was the command “PLEASE TAKE ME!”

As you can see, I was happy to oblige.

That instruction was signed “Love, Mom,” and accompanied by a link to Portable Street Art, a site I investigated once I arrived at the con hotel.

Which is how I learned who was behind the moniker of Mom—an art therapist named Sherri Jacobs, who began this project back in 2012 to, among other things, “infuse a whimsical element to a very organized uncreative suburban landscape.”

Thank you, Sherri, for starting off my Worldon trip on a note of whimsy, while at the same time sharing a Heidegger quote which makes a great deal of sense to me.

I’m glad there are such people in this world.