The Light of Eärendil

"I give you the light of Eärendil, our most beloved star. May it be a light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out." ~Lord of the Rings


I was thinking about this light in the Lord of the Rings tonight while I lay flat on the ground looking up at the sky. It was a cloudy night and I couldn't seem to make out any stars. Then all of the sudden I saw a single pinpoint of light high up in the sky. It wasn't extremely bright or twinkly, it was understated if anything. But I was able to gaze at it for a long time. And it struck me then, that somehow that light was like the light of Eärendil that Galadriel gives to Frodo. What a difference one light can make in the midst darkness and shadow. A single bit of light can give direction, comfort...hope.

I may be reading way too much symbolism into the story, but I saw how the light of Eärendil can even be a symbol for the Bible, the light of God's word. Like in many great stories, Frodo, the weary traveler is tired and scared and somewhat lost. He holds onto this light however and at the time of his greatest need it gives him courage, helps him to find his way and even becomes a weapon of sorts against the things that lie in darkness.

So many times the Bible can be seen as boring or a book of rules or what have you, but it's times like these that make me realize that it is a powerful and beautiful instrument that God gives us to help us in our times of need.

Some comforting thoughts to me as I often feel like Frodo, going out into the unknown, conquering my own monsters and trying to make my way on the path of life.

a true holdiday

So, last night I decided that since all of my portfolio stuff is basically done and ready for the show, that I would take a day off today and truly just spend the day doing fun things for myself- taking a true holiday. Reflecting on that idea I discovered that I probably have only taken one or two true holidays for myself my entire college career. Such is the life of a workaholic.

So, instead of spelling everything out, I'll leave a bit of mystery, providing only a poem I wrote about my day instead. And some pictures that I took with my little point and shoot camera. Totally crappy but wonderful for capturing memories and feelings instead of objects.

"Never underestimate the power of a bicycle"

olive-skinned
pillow matted freshness
orange & red to start the day off right.
Life-and-creamed-cocoa
marshmallow-laziness-kind-of-morning.
Tennis shoe wearing, hair not caring
Get ready, set, Go!

Off on a bicycle
Grand Adventure Day!
Little league parks winding, almost bought clothing
sol botique - escaped with a squeak.
Finally found it. The haven of Abandoned Peace
Wood, two-story for one, please.
Crunch and crumble, hide and bumble
bees!

Good book reading, open window-
wind & two far birds. Tear-inducing
goodness, using my skills to sketch out a
wild oak fuzing (branches)
marking my place with empty bottles- never
was much of a sports genius.

Energy abounds - a good pond swim
tiny turtle bites while bathing on the grass a
fish laid out to dry.
Concepting in my mind the best of my afternoon
tea memories- - - too many to put into a cohesive whole yet.

Finished off drying, more bicycle riding
hunting and finding my way through the town.
Dry on a bench. Then off like a cinch to
sequal reading & meditative tea eating.

stillness & silence.
Appreciate Architecture Viewpoint Cushy Golden Chair
Finally interrupted, caffeine instructed off now to finish the day.
Small-picture taking, all work forsaking
a sun - filled spring holiday.
mud-caked knees, blossoms on trees, do-as-you-please
kind of day.

Rollercoaster country road, heading west and pink glow
pig-tail braids coming out.
Music surrounds, I see homeward bound, & the sun sinking down
in the west.
A doggie gives chase and away we race bringing me to an unknown T.

The most glorious awe-inducing, paralyzing, energizing
meditation, enjoying creation.
other side of humanity. Handless, time-stopped
wold is my oyster, never-wanting-it-to-end
kind of day.