God Shining

This is a photo that I took of the house I grew up in.

It was taken before sunrise on a summer morning in 2000. I did not see this glorious beam of light when I took the photo. It appeared after I loaded the pictures on my computer.

My father had told us he was considering selling the house, and I wanted to have photos to hold this place in my memory. It was while living in this house that I learned how to drive. While living in this house, I first fell in love. While living in this house I learned how to respect my parents and love my siblings. During my years in this house I grew as a musician and realized it would be a lifelong love. I went away to college while living in this house and discovered a freedom I had been protected from for all the years before. It was while living in this house that I battled and beat a life-changing depression. I vied for my parents' love and approval during my years living in this house.

My blessed mother died in this house, and it was forever changed.

She shone on me on this day.