Therapeutic powers of art

My mother shared this story about the pastel painting above which I loaned her for the hallway of the place where she lives:

"There is a gentleman who lives in our building and I see him often coming and going

to eat.  He never speaks to anyone and appears to be very lonely and

in his own world...oblivious to most everything and everyone around him.

Your painting was leaning against the wall near the elevator when I approached and

noticed him looking at it closely, his head cocked to the side to see it

properly.  I smiled, picked it up, got on the elevator and he got

on with me, all the while looking at the large painting I had.

"Those girls are Mexican, aren't they?" he tentatively questioned.  When I replied yes, they

were, he smiled.  "My parents took me to Mexico," he said quietly, "when I was a little boy,

about 8 or 10 years old." 

For the next several floors he quietly told me about the trip...probably more conversation

than he had had with anyone since he moved in."  I was amazed....the

painting touched something in him and suddenly he wanted to share it...with a

stranger. Regardless of who else sees it, your painting has already

provided some "therapy" for this gentleman.  Thanks for letting

us hang it.   love, Mom"

Wow...this painting, beautifully framed, was in a closet at home.  It hadn't found a buyer and I had sentimental reasons for not destroying it.  Little did I know that it had a different purpose and just needed to get to the right location.  Sharing your art can provide some priceless benefits.