There’s more to this story than meets the eye. I’m starting with the ending. The tricky thing about stories is they tend to tangle you up, if you hold on to their shape too tightly. On the other hand, a story might untangle right before your eyes, taking shadows and sharp edges with it, if you brush against it accidentally when your attention is otherwise engaged.
what is beautiful remains 
Gorgeous photograph. Beautiful passage!
The story you tell is the control you can have when you had no control over life.
LOVE this!