Photographs inspire me.  They make me think more deeply and even write about those thoughts.  Sometimes when I look at still shots it is easy to discover life lessons.  The above pillar photos somehow "spoke" something to me when I shot each one of them, but just now they remind me of the supports I have had throughout my lifetime.  There are people who will always remain heroes and encouragers, some of whom may not even still be with us.  My life has had plenty of disappointments, but those "pillars" have kept me stabilized and helped me through times when I was broken or devastated.  Likewise these pillars have laughed with me and re-enforced the joys of living.   It is these very columns of strength who give us character and charm!  They add beauty and a sense of confidence and victory to the essence of who we are.  They add strength and courage and serve as a rock foundation for our lives.  How comforting to have these kind of friends and examples who come along side us, offer their love and hold us solidly in place when we feel weak or the storms of life are beating against us!  

I suppose the highest example would be the Rock and Pillar of our very salvation, Jesus Christ.  It is incredible when people in our lives step up and model this example so very beautifully that it affects who we are!  

Matthew 7:24, 25  "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock..."