light and dark

Donaghadee is a wonderful place evoking memories of my youth. Although settled from the Bronze age, the town only took off in much more recent centuries. Until the middle of the 19th century, the town was the main entry point from GB into Ireland. The harbour, originally built in 1626, reminds me of boat trips, fishing, rough seas and lifeboats.
Today was glorious. The lighthouse, built in 1836 from limestone,  stands as a reminder of the importance of light in our culture. 
The lighthouse warns boats that there is a hazard but also serves to mark the mouth of the safe haven of the harbour. So it serves two purposes - to warn and to draw into safety. Conversion to unwatched electric took place in 1934 and with this change Donaghadee became the first Irish lighthouse to use electricity.

It is still automatic and still serves two purposes. In addition as long as the beam is lit, there is no darkness as darkness is incompatible with light. Darkness has no substantial existence of its own... it only exists where there is no light!

So maybe today your presence, your touch, your support, your soft conversation might be the light that dispels darkness in others.