First Light

Working with stained glass in like raising a child. With glass you work the design on a flat cork board. Cutting, and shaping then foiling pieces. All the while, not truly having an idea of what the work will look like. So that first time when the pieces are roughly soldered together, and it can be held up in the light, is a phenomenal experience, or a let down. For some elements that looked good on the board, just doesn't cut it in the light.

Same for children; as parents we work to shape and model our youth. Teaching them right from wrong. Teaching them to be nice and to work well with others. But the true test is when they emerge on their own; out in the world, in their own light.