This art featured in my memoir, Incandescence: Rising Above Darkness is included as a moment of serenity between chapters and does not necessarily have any literal connection to the story.
Incandescence: Rising Above Darkness Excerpt Chapter #43 Part I. Heavenly Souvenir On The Vacation To Hell
My task was the fire maker, which was the best part of any trip. While out gathering wood, I could enjoy nature and quiet. Bringing light and warmth to the camp was a protection from my father’s darkness. I would go in ever-widening circles, observing the land and its creatures, getting all the companionship I needed from the tiny silent beings. The distant stars and the endless expanse made all my troubles feel minuscule. I cherished the calm. As I filled my arms with wood, my heart filled with the serenity of the wild places. I wrapped the natural world around me like a warm blanket. The stillness became my shield.
I showed the necklace and earrings to my brother and said,
“If Dad knew me, this is what he would give me.” Then we parted ways.
A few miles down the road, my aunt Jane called to say, “Your father died last night. He was shot.”
Everyone in the van was still and silent, waiting for my reaction. I picked up the little brown bag that held the necklace and earrings still sitting on my lap. I carefully unwrapped the earrings from their tissue paper, straightened out the wires, and laid them on the empty bag. Then, I took out the necklace and slowly balanced the tear-shaped rose quartz pendant in the very center of the dainty silver chain. I held up the necklace and earrings where everyone could see the milky pink rose quartz and tiny garnet glistening in the sunlight. After opening the clasp, I moved my hair out of the way, put them on thinking this is a heavenly souvenir from the vacation to hell. I said so everyone could hear, “Thanks, Dad. It is the perfect gift.”
Clare Cooley
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