The flame can warm us. It is beautiful. It can sooth, enhance, or rage as the mood takes it. And it illuminutes those around it, who step close enough to notice the splendor.
But candles, like a life, can only burn for so long. And we have think we know how long that will be, we may even take it's light and warmth for granted. Sure, we do what we can.... We shelter the flame from wind and rain, but we can only do so much.
And when you learn that the flame has only a few moments left, that the flame is slowly, gracefully, and beautifully dimming...what do you do? Do you mourn for the impending loss of light? Do you fear for the loss of warmth? Do you wait for the void it will leave behind, and anticipate drowning in the darkness?
Do you fight to keep the candle burning, thowing everything you have at it? Do you hurl gasoline at the flame in an attempt to preserve it?
Or, do you savor and love the light while it is still here? Do you let it go, and allow it to shine as long as it can before, grandually, it is extinguished?
And, while the flame is still burning, when do you say goodbye?
