Sometimes an end is also a beginning.

The Phoenix is a symbol of rebirth. From the ashes of the dead phoenix springs the flames of a new one. This theme fits beautifully with my experiences with trauma. The person I was before traumatic events is gone, I will never be her again. She died when the events happened, and slowly decayed afterwards.

But I'm not dead and gone. I'm still here, though a bit different than I was before I felt the pain life dealt me. I'm not less, nor more, just different. Still me, and I can still burn brightly.

This is the moment when I began to realize this truth. The baby phoenix perches on the skeletal hand, and below its feet flesh begins to grow.

"Renew" is a celebration of beginning to heal.