Mom pulled something from her pocket that was shaped like a delicate seashell. I looked up at her, my eyes full of silent question.

Understanding my gaze, she gently opened the shell.

Inside was not a powder or a cream, but what looked like a shimmering, pearlescent dust.

With the utmost care, she dipped her finger into it and softly swept the substance across each of my eyelids.

A strange, cool warmth spread from her touch, and for a fleeting second, my vision seemed to sharpen, the colors in the room becoming impossibly vibrant.

“Mom... what is that?” I whispered, my voice filled with awe and a flicker of uncertainty....