Many years ago, I entered an art show in a town about 30 miles from where I live, where the main requirement was that you were a current or former social worker or therapist. The gallery director invited all the artists to a unique reception where a lively conversation ensued about the role of art in our lives and work. While the event itself was really special, a highlight for me was that I met a woman who lives basically around the corner from me who is an artist and therapist. Over the years, the gallery moved but the social worker show continued as an annual event. Lynn and I stayed in touch in the neighborhood and also saw each other occasionally at the annual show. Recently, the gallery director relocated to Emerge Gallery in Saugerties, NY. Although the social work show seems to have faded out, he recently posted a call to artists for a show using recycled materials. I reached out to my neighbor about creating a collaborative piece and we had a blast working together, talking, laughing and getting to know each other better. This piece, entitled “holding space…” is the result and, while we have yet to enter it into the show, it has been such a pleasure to work with her. During the process, we talked a lot about our daughters who are both entering new phases of their lives and how that impacts us as mothers. While our situations are different, we shared many of the same feelings which we reflected on in the creation of this piece. We discussed how motherhood often requires the contradictory efforts of “holding” (bringing in/ gathering/ cherishing) and also “space” (letting go/ allowing for openings). Maybe you got that just from looking at the piece??? Well, if not, there’s plenty of room for interpretation. Whether or not the piece is accepted into the show, I have grown from the experience of working with my dear neighbor, who I now also call my friend.