My family just got a big ‘kick in the stomach’. My mother was diagnosed with liver and lung cancer. I live a few states away from them and couldn’t get home right away to share in the support, emotions and doctors’ visits. So, what did I do? I sat in the corner of my studio and painted tulips. Why? I don’t know….it seemed like the thing to do. I didn’t go out, I didn’t take hot baths, I didn’t eat a bag of chips, and I didn’t journal….I painted. I found comfort in heart felt and soulful expression. I was comforted by color, shape and by painting something familiar and loved…..tulips are one of my favorite flowers. My mother started me on my creative path so painting is a way that I honor her and feel close to her. When I look back on this time, I will look at my tulip paintings and remember what was occurring as they poured out of me. The up side to all of this………I now have 9 new paintings of tulips and I love each one of them as I love my mother.