The Glow

Thursday, October 12,
A dear man died. Only a week ago this friend stood before me at a Baha’i meeting, smiling, kidding around with a twinkle in his eye. He had problems with his lungs, and mentioned with trepidation some medical tests that were being done, and yet he seemed to glow. Come to think of it, I know that “glow” of someone near death. My precious Naomi glowed from head to foot before she died at the age of nineteen. Sometimes I could see it, and I always felt it.
So, when I learned that Jimmy died I prayed alone at home for the progress of his soul. As I prayed, I felt him near, and as sometimes happens, his etheric presence formed a picture in my mind. His identity remained, but more powerful, at peace and happy . . . even joyful. So I said hello, and asked him to convey my love to Naomi, abiding in the same realm above.
Today, I made a painting from a photograph I took recently. The painting looks much better. In the photo, the golden trees seem static, in the painting they sparkle and dance. The sky in the photo is a bit washed out, and in the painting, fluffy white clouds drift across the deep blue space of sky. Even the shadows falling across the path are richer and deeper in paint. I am glad that I can take pictures wherever I go, and then use them for thumbnail sketches in making finished paintings.