Rising from the Ashes

    By Jason Sales

    Rising from the Ashes cover image

    29 Jun, 2024

    a girl sitting on a swing in a backyard with a tree in the background and a wooden fence behind her, visual art, a character portrait, Elinor Proby Adams, promotional image

    Lily sat on the worn-out swing, her eyes filled with a distant sadness. Her parents, once her pillars of strength, were now just memories.

    a young girl sitting on a swing in a garden area with a wooden house behind her and a tree in the background, folk art, a character portrait, Elinor Proby Adams, promotional image

    She had to grow up faster than her peers, taking up odd jobs to keep food on the table and a roof over her head.

    a girl reading a book in a library with a lot of bookshelves behind her and a light coming from the window, photorealism, a hyperrealistic painting, Brad Kunkle, ultra realistic digital art

    Lily found solace in the local library, where Mr. Harold, the librarian, offered her books to read. He became a mentor, guiding her through the world of literature.

    a woman sitting at a table with a book in front of her and a lot of books on the shelves, academic art, a character portrait, Elinor Proby Adams, promotional image

    She discovered her passion for books and writing. The library became her sanctuary, a place where she could escape her harsh reality.

    a group of young people standing in a hallway together, all wearing blue jackets and smiling at the camera, northwest school, a poster, Charlotte Harding, promotional image

    Lily excelled in school, her grades reflecting her hard work and dedication. Despite her circumstances, she was determined to carve out a path for herself.

    a group of young people standing next to each other holding up cell phones and taking pictures with their phones, altermodern, a stock photo, Andries Stock, promotional image

    She won a scholarship to a prestigious university, her ticket to a better life. It was a moment of triumph, a beacon of hope in her bleak world.

    a group of people walking down a street next to a building with a clock on it's side, vancouver school, a poster, Brigette Barrager, promotional image

    Life at the university was a whirlwind of new experiences and challenges. Lily embraced it all, her determination unwavering.

    a woman standing in front of a crowd of people on a street with a building in the background and a crowd of people walking around, vancouver school, a poster, Eugeen Van Mieghem, promotional image

    She graduated with top honors, her name shining brightly on the university's wall of fame. It was a testament to her resilience and hard work.

    a woman standing in front of a book shelf filled with books and bookshelves with a window in the background, academic art, a character portrait, Elina Karimova, promotional image

    Lily landed a job at a renowned publishing company. Her dreams were coming true. She had successfully risen from the ashes of her past.

    a woman with glasses standing in front of a classroom full of people in the background, smiling for the camera, paris school, a computer rendering, Eva Gonzalès, glasses

    She was respected and admired by her colleagues. Her story was an inspiration to many, a beacon of hope in a world often filled with despair.

    a girl standing in front of a house surrounded by flowers and plants with a dog nearby on a leash, photorealism, a detailed matte painting, Cliff Childs, promotional image

    Lily bought a house, her very own sanctuary. It was a far cry from the humble house she grew up in, a symbol of her hard-earned success.

    a painting of a girl sitting in a garden with flowers and a house in the background with a dog, fantastic realism, a hyperrealistic painting, Brad Kunkle, highly detailed digital painting

    She sat in her beautiful garden, reminiscing about her journey. She had not only survived but thrived, turning her struggles into stepping stones for success.