Where I live, it’s cold, windy, and grey. The days are short, and I prioritize seeking light and warmth.
Bare tree branches, delicately etched against the winter sky, present a stark beauty that mirrors the experience of grief. When the forest branches are bare, they reveal vistas that often go unnoticed when covered in foliage. Similarly, allowing ourselves to be open to grief can bring to light previously unseen aspects of ourselves as we heal.

Recognizing my growth, despite the loss and perhaps because of it, has stirred mixed emotions within me. I feel proud of the strong person I’ve become and the accomplishments I’ve achieved—things I never thought I could do on my own. At the same time, I occasionally feel guilty about celebrating these achievements. I wish my husband could be here to see the person I’ve become and to celebrate with me.

I created this piece with this feeling in mind. After painting the background by spattering paint and glitter on handmade paper, I glued bare branches to the canvas. I added icicles to the branches, inserting a tiny felt heart I’d sewn, representing my hope for comfort and clarity as I gazed through winter’s empty branches.