A baby girl was stillborn at full term to the parents of a child then attending the school where I was teaching. Compassion inspired me to paint “To Be a Light with The One Light,” which is the actual visual representation of my experience of consciousness at the time of my first child’s birth in 1963, always remembered, and at times described in words, but never in drawing or painting.

“To Be a Light with The One Light” is a hopeful vision. I painted it in pastel and gave it to the family of the baby on the cover of a large, handmade card expressing my sympathy.

As I was creating the card in December, 1989, I realized the connection of the childbirth experience with the 1988 experiences of dream consciousness I was presently painting as the Dreams and Visions series, and that these were a continuation of this profound experience that has formed the basis of my spiritual life. I immediately painted a full size image of “To Be a Light with The One Light” as part of the series.

I don’t know if this vision experience means personal consciousness continues after death; or if personal identity is dissolved into a Greater Consciousness which continues; or if it is simply the components of physical matter which dissolve and re-form and continue.

Then, as now, I felt a peaceful acceptance, and embraced life while embracing The Mystery, holding the questions, waiting to see….