I remember the moment I found out I was pregnant. Holding my belly, I quietly whispered: 'I will protect you, no matter what.'

Years later, I found myself leaving everything I knew to start anew. Fighting a grueling custody battle, my primary goal remained the same: to protect the little soul that once grew within me. With a fierce 'mama bear' instinct, I wanted nothing more than to shield her from harm.

In those moments, holding her in my arms as we both cried and wished for peace, a specific image appeared in my head. It was Mother and Child by Gustav Klimt. Not only do I love his work, but this specific piece captured exactly what I felt—and what I needed.

Living in a new, empty apartment, I set up my easel. Between turning a house into a home, attending court appearances, navigating therapy, and being the anchor for my daughter, it took over a year to finish this piece. I didn’t mind the time; the process itself became my therapy.

Today, the painting hangs above our dining table—a symbol that this is our place of safety. We may stumble, and we may face harm in this life, but I will never stop protecting my child.

I call it Eternal Love.