orbids it。 The human mind and spirit； at their noblest； can transform the material world for the better； we can even transform the human condition； lifting ourselves from a state of primal fear； when we dwelled in caves and shuddered at the sight of the moon； to a position from which we can contemplate eternity and hope to understand the works of God。 Light cannot change itself into stone by an act of will； and stone cannot build itself into temples。 Only the human spirit can act with volition and consciously change itself； it is the only thing in all creation that is not entirely at the mercy of forces outside itself； and it is； therefore； the most powerful and valuable form of energy in the universe。 For a time； the spirit may bee flesh； but when that phase of its existence is at an end； it will be transformed into disembodied spirit once more。
When he returned from that brightness； from the blue elsewhere； he sat for a while； trembling； eyes closed； burrowed down into this revealed truth as the crab had buried itself in the sand。
In time he opened his eyes。
His daughter smiled at him。 Her eyes were amethyst； not grey。 Her features were not those of the other Nina whom he had loved so deeply。 She was not； however； a pale fire； as she had seemed before； and he wondered how he could have allowed his anger to prevent him from seeing her as she truly was。 She was a shining light； all but blinding in her brightness； as his own Nina had been 。 。 。
… as are we all。
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