Chapter 7: The Art of Healing
Lily’s school held an open house art exhibition a month later. The bright classroom was filled with colorful children's drawings taped neatly along the brick walls. Parents crowded around tables, but Sarah stood quietly in front of Lily’s display.
The assignment was titled: ""My Safe Place.""
Most children had drawn big houses with yellow suns, green grass, and family dogs. Lily had drawn a small wooden boat floating on a stormy blue ocean. Inside the boat were two figures holding hands—a tall woman with brown hair and a small girl with a bright yellow raincoat. Above the storm clouds, Lily had painted a tiny, brilliant lighthouse beaming warm light across the water.
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At the bottom of the page, in unsteady seven-year-old handwriting, Lily had written: “My mommy is my lighthouse.”
Sarah covered her mouth, hot tears welling up in her eyes. A young teacher walked up beside her, offering a gentle smile. ""Lily told the class that no matter how big the waves get, her mother always knows the way to shore,"" the teacher said softly. Sarah squeezed her eyes shut, letting the tears fall freely—not from pain, but from profound gratitude.
