“We wouldn’t be going about our daily life without these military people who are over there putting their lives on the line.”

Ms. Davies came up with the idea of a mural on her garage door after her son, Aaron Dalrymple, found out he was being deployed to Afghanistan with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.

It’s the first mission for Mr. Dalrymple, who joined the Canadian Forces in 2007.

The east Mountain resident originally thought the mural should contain the Princess Pats coat of arms and a yellow ribbon. But it seemed like something was missing, said Ms. Davies.

After some more thought, she realized she wanted to honour all Canadian soldiers — such as a friend’s son, Sgt. Shawn Eades, who was killed in Afghanistan in August 2008 — and came up with the idea of adding poppies and white crosses.

Family friend and artist Fred Bulbeck, who airbrushed the homage to the troops, added some more touches like clouds and beams of sunlight.

“When Margaret called me up and told me about this I was right on board,” he said.

Ms. Davies, who lives on Lanza Court near Barton Secondary School in the Berrisfield neighbourhood, said she has received many compliments about the mural, especially from those with a military connection.

“I think it really comforts them to know somebody would do this,” says Ms. Davies. “I feel comfort, too. I like to hear their stories.”

Mr. Dalrymple, whose father is retired firefighter Bryan Dalrymple of Dundas, has been surrounded by military personnel. Both his grandfathers, George Dalrymple and Sylvanus Dutcher, 84, served in the Second World War. Ms. Davies’ husband Jeff’s father, Earl Davies, also served.

Ms. Davies said she got a call from her son last Saturday. He told her Afghanistan is “not what he expected.”

“I sure hope he comes home, that’s all,” she said. “Every mother worries. But unless you’re a military mother you don't know what it’s like.”