An 85-year-old woman from Pulling, Germany, has earned the affectionate nickname 'Graffiti Berta' after fulfilling her longtime dream of having a large graffiti mural painted on her property. Berta Pöschko commissioned Munich-based street artist Mr. Gum to transform the plain white wall along her driveway into a vibrant work of art that has become the talk of the neighborhood.

Pöschko spends much of her time in her winter garden, where she reads the daily newspaper each morning and works on puzzle books in the afternoons. For years, she had grown tired of looking at the aging 40-foot-long wall that separates her driveway from the neighboring property. When her son Alfred recently repaired cracks in the deteriorating structure, replastered the masonry, and gave it a fresh white coat of paint, he and Pöschko's five daughters were proud to present their mother with the pristine new wall.

However, the family hadn't counted on Berta's unconventional vision. 'The white wall was too dreary and boring for me. I had wanted graffiti for years,' said the senior citizen, who will celebrate her 86th birthday in September. Despite her children's initial bewilderment, Pöschko remained determined to have a colorful, life-filled wall to look at from her winter garden.

The family eventually found their artist through connections in Munich. The boyfriend of Christine, Pöschko's youngest daughter, knew someone who goes by the name Mr. Gum and has established a reputation in Munich's graffiti scene over the years. The artist agreed to fulfill the elderly woman's unique request.

Through several sessions, Mr. Gum created a sweeping landscape panorama featuring lush green meadows, bright flowers, forests, and an ice-blue lake set against a mountain backdrop. 'We used to spend a lot of time in the mountains. When I look at the graffiti, I like to think back to those times - it makes me feel a bit like I'm on vacation,' Pöschko explained.

The mural includes personal touches that make it especially meaningful to the family. At the left edge, directly at the beginning of the driveway, visitors are greeted by a larger-than-life cat whose living model, Minka, roams through Pöschko's house and garden. Minka moved in when Pöschko's husband Josef died in 2020. 'Of course she had to be on the wall too,' the senior said with a smile.

The artwork also serves as a touching memorial to her late husband. The mural depicts Berta and Josef sitting together on a bench, enjoying the mountain panorama. 'It's beautiful to see our father immortalized there,' said daughter Christine. The 53-year-old, like her siblings, is happy that they fulfilled their mother's long-held graffiti wish despite their initial skepticism.

The colorful wall has made Pöschko incredibly proud and brought her immense joy. She has earned the loving nickname 'Graffiti Berta' throughout the neighborhood, where the vibrant mural has become quite the sensation. 'The neighbor across the street has already asked for the artist's phone number,' Christine noted. Even Christine herself has come to appreciate her mother's persistence: 'When you come to visit Mom and the first thing you see is that colorful wall, you immediately get a smile on your face.'

The mural isn't necessary to draw the family to Berta Pöschko's home, however. 'She's the focal point that everyone likes to come to,' Christine explained. The extended family is substantial, including six children with their partners, nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren, plus numerous nieces and nephews who visit regularly, not just on birthdays and holidays. 'Everyone helps out when something needs to be done,' Christine said. Pöschko added proudly: 'I'm very proud of our family solidarity.'

To stay in touch with everyone, the family set up a tablet for the 85-year-old two years ago, which she uses diligently. However, she's often not directly reachable because Berta Pöschko keeps an active social schedule. 'We always joke that we have to take a number like at a government office to get an appointment with our mom,' daughter Christine laughed.

With her electric tricycle, Pöschko rides to Freising almost daily for shopping, rarely misses senior afternoons, and regularly takes trips with her friend Hilde - either with bus groups or by train, having previously worked for the railway company. 'We were just at Lake Constance recently,' she shared. This summer, a major family vacation was planned to a campground at Lake Garda. 'There's quite a bit going on because we're about 30 people,' Pöschko said, making no secret of how much she was looking forward to it.

When asked about the secret to remaining so spirited and adventurous at nearly 86, Pöschko becomes thoughtful. 'There's no trick to it. I think I'm just very lucky,' she said. She, daughter Christine, and other family members hope this continues for a long time. Ultimately, she's grateful every morning to be able to get up. 'Then off we go,' said Graffiti Berta, her bright blue eyes gazing luminously at the colorful mural in her driveway.