My father received a phone call one day from an old college roommate and long time friend. My father was informed, sadly, that the son of this old college roommate had recently died. Of course Dad accepted the invitation to attend the funeral. I went with him. The son who died was a middle aged man, married with kids. His wife now a widow would take care of their young children the best she could. Before his passing they seemed to be a very happy and loving family. He was a good father and husband. At the close of the funeral services, a moment caught my attention that I shall not forget.  The wife, now widowed in mortality, followed closely behind her husband's casket as a group of male family members carried it out of the church house.  Holding on to her children, she was dignified and strong. As she neared the door, the sun shown brilliantly through the doorway casting bright beams of light on her and her children as they walked through on the other side. It impacted me so strongly, and I knew I had to paint it.