In November of 2009, my painting entitled, Discovery, joined the public collection at the Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital. I requested that my painting would be displayed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU ) because all three of our sons spent their first days in intensive care nurseries.

After 17 difficult days in the cardiac unit of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, our first son finally came home. We also battled for our second son’s life for 23 days in Swedish Hospital of Denver. And our third son spent two days in the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital of Grand Rapids.

Although all three of our sons experienced traumatic births, each one enjoys health today. But I know the tears and pain of the mothers, pacing the NICU halls because with each son’s birth, I, too, had to walk through the path of suffering.

Note: To commemorate this painting, I have dedicated it to my dear father-in-law. Near the painting, a small plaque reads: “In honor of my father-in-law, one of the kindest men I have ever met.”