I recently watched an independent film titled “Wings of Desire”, which, in fact, served as the inspiration for the popular movie “City of Angels". This profound film begins with several scenes in which two angels observe human life. They comment on different physical sensations that humans luxuriously embrace, the same sensations that, because of their immortality, they cannot experience. What an irony- considering the goal of humanity (from both a religious and a theological perspective) - is to obtain immortality and escape damnation and death. Yet here two immortal beings- beings whom captivate and epitomize beauty holiness completion, investigate the human condition with wonder and envy. Though surely at some point each mortal individual overlooks his or her devastatingly mysterious condition, and furthermore looks past life on earth and strives for some eternal glory, two angels reflecting on the simplicity of humanity, the spectrum of feeling which allows for deep compassion and uplifting hope, brings us back to reality. Literally.

To feel pain. To feel love. To feel warmth. Summer rain beating against a dewy window.

Crying until your eyes turn blue. The sizzle of walking on hot pavement. Diving into a freezing

pool of water. Running in the crisp autumn air until your breath hurts. Turning over the silky

cloth of a pillow in the deep night, feeling the underlying side’s cool refreshment. A meal. Water

streaming off your body after standing up in the bath tub. Naked feet pressing into a rich

carpet. Listening. Silence. Beginnings. Ends.