Once in a while, my wandering soul bumps into these beautiful, wonderful people, and all I can do is step back and collect myself.

All I can do is pause and try to fathom that what I’m seeing is real- that another soul could shine brightly enough to guide me home from these swallowing, violent seas.

And it’s in that moment that a light is planted in me, too. It may be dim, but there it rests- a gentle flame, my little beacon of hope, a precious gift from that brilliant, shining soul.