Layer 7 of the Holiday Painting.

This one was fun - I pulled a card for extra inspiration and the card fully supported the direction the painting is going. It’s so cool when that happens.

This canvas is brighter and happier than I would have predicted. It’s a nice surprise. This holiday season (so far) has been a little easier. We made an early trip to Maryland and spent the week visiting family. We laughed, played with the great little nieces and nephews, caught up with the middle and high school kids, and shared lots of meals.

My first Christmas of big grief I stayed home in Connecticut and cleaned the cabinets under the sink in the bathroom. My husband went to Maryland to be with family. It’s what we both wanted and needed and somehow we were able to recognize that and support each other in doing what we needed to do.

I wonder what a Holiday Painting would have looked like that year. This isn’t a judgement - that painting would have been meaningful too but I wasn’t ready to paint then. I am curious what it would have looked like though.

There are still and will always be memories that tug on our heartstrings but there is also progress and healing.

Still more layers to come ……