the in-between

The time of in-between.  The lingering light of a setting sun.  Domingo Batista, a phenomenal photographer from the Dominican Republic, calls the in-between the "tiempo de luz" or the time of light.  He told me that during the dusk and dawn, many souls pass from this life to the next.  He also said that these moments are the best time of day to capture a photograph.

Indeed, something about this time of in-between feels peaceful and resonates on a deep level.  I must not be the only one to experience it, as I see many fellow "believers" of the in-between heading to the canyon, the beach, or the hill to catch the changing light of sunset and sunrise on film or in their memories. Maybe we're all drawn to the beauty, possibility and magic of the in-between.

The orange hue of the setting sun reminds me of the fading light of a glowing ember.  Staring at the dwindling glow on a candle wick, I am reminded that energy is never lost, it is only transformed.  

Recently, my extended family has experienced significant tragedy and death.  These are the painful parts of life's journey--what we inherited with our incarnation and the tough lessons of love.  Such things, especially when they feel so out of control and tragic, cause a huge upheaval and toss us directly into the flames of the in-between.  

Each moment is a crossroads per se, an opportunity to act, love and be as authentic as possible...so that in the end (or maybe the beginning), we cross through the fire of the in-between with no regrets.  

And who knows what we will emerge from the smoke as...

for the butterfly is well-aware of the importance of the in-between.