The Pont du Gard is an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge built in the first century AD to carry water over 50 km (31 mi) to the Roman colony of Nemausus (Nîmes). It crosses the river Gardon near the town of Vers-Pont-du-Gard in southern France. The Pont du Gard is the highest of all Roman aqueduct bridges, as well as one of the best preserved.

I can’t imagine that the people carrying the limestone each day thought, “Wow, this is really beautiful!” When you are knee-deep in the trenches, it’s hard to see. But it comes. The beauty comes.

After the Roman Empire collapsed and the aqueduct fell into disuse, the Pont du Gard remained largely intact due to the importance of its secondary function as a toll bridge. Change. Even the most valued things, someday will have to change. And the beauty comes.

We visited the Pont du Gard a few years ago. Today it is one of France’s most popular tourist attractions, and has attracted the attention of a succession of literary and artistic visitors.

I painted it as a reminder. A reminder for me, when I feel like I’m in the trenches. The work must be done. The beauty will come. Change is inevitable. The beauty will come.

I brush the dust from my knees and tell myself, “You have to live it, really live it, and then the beauty comes.”