What is a candle?
An object of art? A religious artifact for prayers and celebrations? An essential component for aromatherapy? The most important item of your birthday cake?! Maybe a glamorous accent for a romantic evening? The list can grow very long... We use candles for different purposes. I bet that you, dear friend, have a candle right next to you, or in a specific place in your house, ready to be used whenever it is necessary! For a birthday party, for a special décor... or for a sudden lack of light!
When I was a little girl, in our house in Atibaia, country side of Sao Paulo, the lack of energy was very common after rain storms. We should have candles very handy because we did not want to stay in the dark if the light was out: it was a mix of fear and fun! Later, in the dark, with the twinkling light of the candles, we could go everywhere, sure (or almost sure) that we wouldn't trip over anything.
As in the case of these sweet episodes in Atibaia, the main purpose of using candles in History was evidently to produce light!
Candles were invented by Egyptians and enhanced by Romans to aid travelers at dark, and lighting homes and places of worship at night.
With the invention of the lightbulb in 1879 by Thomas Alva Edison, one could think: this is the end of candle industry... But how wrong: people had discovered other uses for the candlelight.. and this industry, in fact, never stopped to grow. Candles are found in different colors, textures, sizes or shapes, and even fragrances. They can be used only for decoration and never really burn or they can burn until they are totally consumed. Do you want to know more about candles? There is even a National Candle Association in the USA! Ready for your questions... or for "your orders"!
But why the theme "candle" has been in my mind now?
Well, recently, my husband and I went to an Opera presentation: LA BOHEME of Giacomo Puccini. Our daughter's piano teacher was performing an important role in this opera... and we were also celebrating our 10th anniversary. Perfect combination! So, we decided to attend it. Needless to say that we had a wonderful time. We did appreciate every minute of the presentation (and the amazingly unusual warm Chicagoan spring evening!).
This piece unfolds the love story between a writer (Rodolfo) and his neighbor (Mimi). They fall in love in the first moment they meet.
And how do they meet? Because of a CANDLE!!
They are in Paris... winter of 1830...
He was alone in his apartment, while his friends were waiting for him at a pub (c'est la vie de Bohème, after all). He decided to stay to finish an article, he needed more time, maybe more inspiration... Suddenly, he heard a knock on his door. It was a beautiful lady, his neighbor, whose candle had been extinguished. So, both needed light. He needed light to finish his writings. She needed light for her candle!
They talk, she is not feeling well... she had been sick for a while. She sits down for a little bit to rest. But she needs to go.
He lights up her candle using the flame from his own candle.
She is at the door, about to leave, when oh! She realizes that she lost her keys! She comes back and oh no! The flame in her candle went out!
Now, she needs more light to find her keys, which were lost somewhere in his apartment. But his candle is also extinguished (maybe strategically). And here they are: both in the dark looking for her keys and in need for some light.
The magical touch... hand touches hand... They do not find the keys, BUT they have found each other! The flame now is in their hearts.
Flame that warms feelings and illuminates a prospective life together.
"Io sono poeta tu sei la poesia"...
(click
here to listen to Pavarotti and Freni singing this part!)
Well, before you think this is it and they have lived happily ever after... the story is just in the beginning... the rest I will leave for your search... or own conclusions... but my point is... THE CANDLE.
I like to think that all of us are candles. And that we can only "be a real candle" when our flame is burning...The candle - whatever purposes it might have - spreads light and warmth.
An extinguished candle is frequently not useful at all.
We want to be "burning" candles... but if our flame, for any reason, is weak or gone, there is nothing to worry about: we need to find another 'burning candle'. The burning candle will empower our flame, and we will come back to a "burning happy" life again. Then, take your turn to be the "burning candle" for somebody whose flame is weak, or for that same person who is now in need of some light or warmth...
A burning candle is ignited with love, encouragement, action, fun, direction, wisdom. And the fire within its heart will never cease.
Be a candle.
After 10 years of marriage, I thank God for my Candle... and because in all these years I have been able to be his Candle too:)
