Nearly two months ago, I was on a plane headed west to meet my new grandson.

Henry Harris Cornell had entered the world, and with the very first sniff of his newborn scent, it was made clear: Nothing would ever be the same.

I am now a grandmother.

My daughter is now a mother.

My grandson is now a part of this world, with an entire future sprawled out ahead of him.

(Welcome, Henry!)

With each new life, we gain new perspective. It's impossible not to.

Overcome with emotional intensity, indescribable love, and incredible pride in my daughter, I did what I do best to process it all:

I got out my paints. And I painted what I saw:

The stillness. The love. The tiniest moments that make the biggest memories in those first, precious days.

Before my two-week visit was up, I'd unintentionally created a book of Henry's first two weeks. A book I'll continue to add to each time I'm blessed to see him.

It's a piece of creative legacy I can give Henry.

The funny thing is this...

Before Henry entered the world, I wondered what I could make for him. On the plane ride out there, I puzzled over what I could create. I wanted what I would create to match the magnitude of what I felt for him; for my daughter.

Without an answer in mind, I got out my paints that day. I'd been experimenting with a new-to-me type of watercolor, gouache, and I thought it might just be fun to play.

Without the pressure of creating something of magnitude — I'd save that for later — I painted. And painted. And painted.

And in the end, I'd created the perfect thing for the occasion.

Henry's book just happened. Because I took the pressure off and played.

Naturally, it made me think: What other (magnificent) ideas do we have at our fingertips that can be explored if we just loosen up and let go?

If we slow down, find solace in everyday moments, and choose to let the universe take the reins?

Because, friends, I can promise you this: Our best work in this world can't happen under pressure.

But it can happen when we loosen our grips and let ourselves play.

P.S. Also just for fun: I recorded a video of the book in process…you can find it here!