Although I created this light-hearted piece before my husband’s illness and death, I found myself returning to it in the years afterward with a sense of wonder. Had I ever really felt that carefree and celebratory toward the idea of change?

Embracing change has never been my strong suit, but creating this piece allowed me to focus on the positive aspects it can bring to life. My husband and I had recently retired, and I committed to being open to the excitement of change. I remember heading to the paint store to select multi-hued sample cards from which I cut the hair strands for this piece. I added printed definitions of change to reinforce the idea. I hung this artwork in a place where I would frequently see it for inspiration.

With his illness and death came a host of uninvited changes. This picture was stored away as we relocated and learned to navigate the world of terminal illness.

It took some years before I could again feel myself opening to the unwanted change in my life. Just the fact that it is now “my” life and no longer “our” life was a monumental change that I thought I would never accept.

As I approach the next chapter in my life, I hope to recommit to the positive aspects of growth and change.