"It washed over me like my shame.

My failure. My ineptitude.

No longer could I see, only stand there motionless as though time itself had become still. There was no movement, only a burning sensation which seemed to grow more and more intense with each passing second.

I did not know what was happening. I felt I was...I felt as though my very being was breaking apart. I was reduced to nothing more than a frail glass apparition sharing my appearance. My senses seemed to dwindle and die.

All this time I had tried to hide from you as much as I could-- my thoughts, my emotions, everything. The only remaining thought, feeling I could muster was despondence.

Perhaps I was not trying to elude you, but myself.

But...

From the pain of the moment, through the choking fear and regret, something shone through.
Something strange but familiar.

It was not such a painful burn, but a welcoming, warm embrace-- like the first rays of sunlight after an autumn storm. My vision returned, slowly but surely, and so did time.

I finally understood.

Through the shock to my heart and soul, seeing that I meant something so dear to you...

...despite what I used to be...

...I lost myself, those remaining sins, and rediscovered who I really was."

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