I’ve always had a difficult time with crying. Growing up, I was one of those strange babies that didn’t cry for anything. It was both mystifying and concerning.

Now, in my adult years, I still find it hard to release emotions. I once heard that the urge to cry is just as natural as the urge to laugh, and it should be welcomed with the same openness and understanding.

I guess this painting is a reminder—a reminder to be gentle with myself, and to honor the moments when I need to open up and let go.

It’s so easy to harden ourselves, to bottle things up, and to cling to those times when we wished we were soft and vulnerable but, for whatever reason, couldn’t or wouldn’t be. For many years, I didn’t know where to begin in reconnecting with this softness. I’m still learning.

But there are moments, in the quiet of the night, when I find myself seeking comfort within my own mind, body, and emotions. In those moments, I’ll try to remember this painting.