How My Art Saved My Life

I became an accountant at the age of 28 because I finally realized what I loved (or so I thought). I was a little late figuring it out, earning my BA at 30 and an MBA in Finance by the time I was 40. I was happy in my daily life, loved what I did for a living, and had found the love of my life: Rob Edwards (with me, above left).

On December 15, 2014, two days before we were going on vacation to Florida, I woke up to a sound that will forever haunt me: Rob, gasping for air. The paramedics were not able to resuscitate him. He was pronounced dead at the age of 48. 

I was devastated and didn't know how to keep myself occupied and not think about that horrible event. Then I remembered that Rob and I went once to a "wine & painting" class. We were both skeptical, and both surprised when we had a blast. Tragically, he and I never got to go again together, but I built the courage to return, both alone and with friends. I enjoyed it so much that I endeavored to sign up for a class whenever there was one nearby.

After a few classes, I realized that for the three hours I was painting, I wasn't thinking didn't about anything except painting! Until that moment, I hadn't fully comprehended what "living in the moment" meant.

Painting turned out to be therapeutic. My feelings came through in my paintings. I didn't realize I had a natural affinity for art, and with my insatiable appetite to learn new things, I found myself trying new techniques, and my paintings rapidly improved. I began to realize that painting was what I was meant to do! It was my passion and it gave me a new beginning and new aspirations.