I never imagined that the simple act of placing a candle in the north facing window next to my front door would change the way I looked at life. But it did.

Let’s start from the beginning… I’m not sure where or when I’d heard about lighting a candle in the window in the evening, I just know it resonated with me years ago and I’ve done it ever since.

Probably in some historical novel, I’d read about soldiers and loved ones, or a movie. Who knows. It’s not important.

What matters is the story from after I started putting a candle in my window.
It reminds me of a light house guiding lost ships safely into harbor or around dangerous shores.

On this particular evening as I lit the candle in the window, I noticed the snow gently falling outside. I should mention that it’s the week leading up to Christmas.

It was so pretty seeing day light fading on the fresh falling snow and my driveway lanterns, with their timed solar powered candles coming on leading up the driveway to my home.

I turned and went into the kitchen to make my candy cane hot chocolate, turning off the main lights as I went by the switches.

The Christmas tree was all a glow as well as the garland and lights lit around the living room, foyer and up the stairs. Music played quietly in the back ground as I picked up my hot chocolate, dropping in the candy cane. I headed to my chair in the living room near the fireplace.

I’d just settled in my chair, after loading the fireplace with a couple more pieces of wood and cracked open my book when I heard the doorbell.

“Huh?” I wasn’t expecting anyone; I don’t think. Curious, I went to the front door, just as someone knocked gently now.

I peaked through the side window and saw a tall man in a uniform over coat standing there.
Opening the door, I asked, “Hello?”

He was watching the snow falling on the driveway in the lantern light in what I could only guess as deep contemplation before he turned towards me, taking off his hat, “Hi. Uhm, sorry to disturb you but my car slid into the ditch just down the road. I noticed your lanterns leading up to the house and followed them.”

I smiled and waved him in out of the cold.

Just as he was coming in, stepping to the side, he saw my candle flickering in the window beside me.

“Mom use to do that.” He said softly.

I looked to where he was looking and smiled.

“I’ve been doing that for years. Not sure why. It just feels right.” I replied.

Glancing back at me he said, “Mom said the same thing. Then when I joined the army she said it made perfect sense to her. She felt it would always lead me back home, safely, from wherever I was.”

“And now?” I should have guessed the answer.

“There hasn’t been a candle for 5 years. She’s gone.” He had a slight hitch in his voice. I knew it was a hurt he still wasn’t over.

Instinctively, I reached out and gently touched his arm. I didn’t say anything. I know this loss.

I’d lost my mom roughly around the same time. Even now the feeling still catches me off guard.

He seemed to know I understood because he gently covered my hand with his gloved one and then we stepped apart as he looked once more at the candle.

Clearing his throat he said, “Sorry, I should have introduced myself. I’m Sergeant John O’Donnelly. I wouldn’t have stopped in but my battery in my phone is dead. I can’t find my charger and I was wondering if I could use your phone to call a tow truck?”

“I’m Sara. Please come in.” I waved him into the living room and following him, I reached for my phone off the charger, unlocked it, went to the towing phone number then handed it to him. He was standing in front of the fireplace warming himself as he stared into the flames.

“Of course, if you want I can charge your phone for you, while you wait for the truck.” He nodded but didn’t hand me the phone immediately. He seemed lost in thought, staring into the fire. Then as if suddenly aware of where he was he took out his phone, handed it to me and hit dial on my phone all at the same time.

I plugged his phone in where mine had been as I listened to him speak to the towing dispatch.

He paused at one point asked for my address then repeated it back to the person on the phone.

When he was done, he handed me my phone as I offered him a seat and asked if he wanted a drink. He shook his head as he sat stiff and straight leaning a bit forward.

Going to my chair, I sat and picked up my now warm mug of hot chocolate. Looking over the rim I asked, “What brings you to our little town? If you don’t mind me asking.” Taking a sip, I waited for his reply.

After a long pause he said with a sheepish smile, “Would you believe a wrong turn?”

Chuckling he finally leaned back in his chair and stretched out his long legs crossing them at the ankle, more relaxed looking. A gentle smile started at the corner of my mouth as I raised an eyebrow, but I didn’t reply. I just sat back, tucked my feet under me and waited.

“I was suppose to go to my sister’s new place for the holidays and somehow I turned at the wrong intersection or something.”

“Uhhhhh,” I nodded, “You went the way the road guided you, rather than where you thought you were suppose to be.”

Glancing at me he questioned, “The road guided me?”

I nodded, sipped my drink before putting the mug down beside me.

“I always believed that when we are…” I pausing searching for the right word, “… lost or perhaps unsure, than our path or in your case, the road reaches up and gently guides us to where we can find ourselves, or perhaps lead us to the answers to our unspoken questions.”

Silently he leaned forward, staring into the fire as he steepled his fingers, lost in thought. When he spoke, it was almost to himself, “Mom use to call those ‘Godwinks’.”

I smiled and subconsciously nodded as I watched him. We just sat comfortably in silence, until the doorbell rang. I stood up to answer, as the Sergeant rose to his feet with me. We went to the door and I opened it, to find the tow truck driver standing there, knocking the snow off his boots and shaking himself.

“Hi, I’m looking for Mr. O’Donnelly?” He glanced at his clipboard checking the name. The Sergeant stepped around me and reached out to shake the driver’s hand.

“Thanks for coming so quickly. It’s just up the road a bit.” Turning, he smiled at me.

“Thank you for your hospitality and kindness.” I shook his hand then he turned to go.

“Wait Sergeant!” I ran back into the living room to grab his phone. It was at 37%, hopefully enough battery till he reached his sister’s.

He was still at the door but the tow truck driver was in his truck waiting.

“Your phone.” I said as I handed it to him. He looked startled. He’d completely forgot about it, I could tell. The very reason he’d come to my door in the first place.

“Thank you again. I don’t know were my head is tonight.” He pocketed it then put his hat on, stepped out the door and down the steps. As he stepped off the bottom step he turned back towards me, glancing at the window where the candle was softly flickering he said something I’ll never forget.

“Thank you. For keeping the candle burning in your window. You may not know why you do it, but for me and perhaps many others it’s a beacon of hope. I will always remember where to look when I need a beacon.” Then he was gone.

A tear slowly slid down my cheek as I watched the truck leave my driveway, I closed the door softly and went back to my chair.

I may never see him again, but our conversation will stay with me forever. Tonight I was reminded that I may not always understand why I do something. It just feels right. A stranger found hope in something I didn’t understand for myself. So… as long as I can I will keep a candle burning in the window, for him and all those that may need a beacon of hope. Perhaps it will guide a few who are lost, home again, and may bring their paths to my door and my candle.