growing up in a small town with little to no representation for any minority group brought with it a sense of solitude that i often found myself facing. i grew insecure of my eyes, my skin color, and anything that set me apart from the rest. and on a day that is meant to celebrate your life, my very being became something i hated. the candles represent the wish to no longer desire being something i'm not and to instead embrace the beauty in who i am.
