Ahead of Dawn’s Early Light

A few weeks back, on an early-morning walk, a garage door opened before sunrise.   A lady appeared, holding the flags of the United States and  Texas, one in each hand.   Reverently, she placed them in holders before going back inside.   I thought it was a poignant few moments and made a pact with myself to try to photograph it if I could drag myself out of bed in time.   As it turns out, Teresa Day has performed her task for 30 years without fanfare, most recently in Taylor, Texas, her home since last year.   Unless it’s raining, she honors the flags 7 days a week.   On Flag Day and July 4th, only the American flag flies.   On Texas Independence Day (March 2), the flag of the Lone Star State billows by itself.   It was quietly impressive, particularly since Day is going about her task with her foot in a cast, nursing a fracture.   At the end of each day, the flags come down, at rest, awaiting a new dawn.