I was shocked when I walked into my mom’s new house, and it changed the way I see things forever. Once empty walls were now covered with her bright paintings, each one sharing a story of love, passion, and strength. Florence, my mother, had finally found a safe place to live, which gave her a new start on life.
As a child, I saw how my dad looked down on my mom’s art and thought it was just a hobby. But it meant a lot more to her. It was her safe place to go and escape. In this new part of her life, she had found someone who not only saw her ability but also helped her develop it.
She could paint and carve without fear because her new partner, John, had made a “creativity hub” for her to grow. As I looked around the room, I saw how beautiful their relationship was. He became her rock, someone she could talk to, and someone who always had her back.
I thought about all the times my dad had put down my mom’s art, making her feel small and unimportant. John had a different view of the world, though. He could see the love in her paintings, the emotion in her brushstrokes, and the beauty in her work.
As we ate dinner, I felt welcome and at home because of the bright colors of her art all around me. My mom had finally found her true love, someone who loved her for who she was, unique and all. I knew at that moment that I had a new understanding of how art and love can change lives.
