2020: Through the Door

There is hope for your future, declares the Lord.. Jeremiah 31:17

I desired to create one last image to represent leaving this year 2020. Together Fefe & I created the above image but a few hours ago as the final sun set on 2020. 

The location is at an ancient 12th century church down the road from us. I wanted it to be a place that has stood for centuries despite all that the world has endured.. this place is still standing. 

Fefe is pushing on the door that is about to open into a new year. A few years ago, I discovered the meaning of the name for the month of January. From the various languages of the British Isles it appears to be variants on the Latin Januarius. This may have arisen from either the Latin for ‘door’, ianua (the door onto the year) of the Roman god Janus as he’s the god of doors, doorways, arches, openings, closings.. of transitions and beginnings, traditionally depicted as having two faces, one looking back to the past and one looking ahead to the future. 

She’s looking back at me as I’m reflecting on this  year having not yet crossed over to what is ahead. 

The mask and colors of red & black are dominant as they represent covid.. this global pandemic. 

Finally the candle represent light in the darkness: Hope. God has me. More than just hope, it’s a reminder for me to continue to be a light in dark places. 

"Farewell, old year; we walk no more together;

I catch thy latest sigh...

Here in the dim light of a grey December

We part in smiles, and yet we met in tears;

Watching thy chilly dusk, I well remember..."

Sarah Doudney "A Parting”

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