As soon as I entered, I could feel it. The room was bright, warm, and filled with a presence that made everything feel comfortable.

That’s Stacy.

At first, she spoke thoughtfully and chose her words with care. As she opened up, the room seemed to get brighter. Her face lit up when she talked about road trips with her mum, her dad, the marigolds, and the moment the loggerhead turtle appeared just when she was about to give up hope. By the end, the colors felt vivid and the symbols stood out. I knew then what this painting should become.

The daisy sits at the center, simple, open, honest. That's her.

Next to it, a butterfly's wing rises, showing growth, healing, and trust returning. Inside, the loggerhead turtle is hidden. Quiet and patient, it reminds us that what we hope for can show up, even when we’re close to giving up.

A gold arc wraps around her family, holding everything together—the past and the new—all inside something solid, warm, and safe. That warmth fills the painting and makes it glow.

The winding road goes west, toward the Smokies, the lights of Vegas, and anywhere else she wants to go. She can step into this painting each day and start her journey from here.

Dolly’s coat of many colors lines the edge of the road, just as it should.

The marigolds represent her dad, his humor, and his love. This painting reminds her how beautiful and loved she is, and how much color she brings with her, just as she always has.

Held and Moving Forward