LIFES PATH – A CHAPTER UNFOLDS

LIFES PATH – A CHAPTER UNFOLDS

A small cottage stands near a cliff face a little weather beaten from the elements aged from years of strong winds, heavy rain and searing heat from the sun. Window boxes line window sills around the quite little home, filled with healing herbs gifts from Mother Nature and inside a lady sits, a lady of the sea. Her chair faces the window so she can see out across the water were the suns rays reflect on the seas surface causing the illusion of a garden filled with fairy lights and fireflies giving flashes of sparkling light across the vast blue background. From her window seat she also has a clear vision of the sky filled with lacy soft patterns made from white fluffy clouds and a smile turns the corners of her mouth as she watches her old friend the sea eagle as he dips and dives into the waters below looking for a catch of fish, she wonders if this beautiful bird of the sea has a family of young hidden somewhere along the cliff face or are they safely nestled in one of the large groups of trees inland, she often sees her friend flying on the wind in that direction and she presumes he goes home or does he head to different waters on the other side of their island, does he have a family or is this magnificent bird alone as she is.

On the table in front of her sits a freshly brewed pot of tea, she pours herself a cup and cradles it in her hands, thankful for the heat that eases the pain in her joints, looking around her she realises that over half her life has been lived within this little cottage and she remembers what it was like to hear the sounds of her children on the morning breeze when she would go out onto her front porch and call them to the breakfast table, the same table that she sits at now. The breeze does not carry these sounds anymore and she sheds a tear for a life that was as a chapter, a re-run of her life begins to play in her mind she closes her eyes and says a silent prayer to her Gods to ask them, this day to help lift the heavy feeling that sits within her heart.

She was known as the islands healer and teacher, many thought her a little different, different from them selves but over time she had gained their love and trust. Families would send their ageing mothers and fathers over her way so she could help ease their pain with the lotions, potions and teas made from the may herbs she grew in her garden and planter boxes, or she would simply just lend an ear. Sometimes an ailment could be cured over a good pot of tea with someone like she who could listen much, and speak little was the best medicine any healer could provide. The islands crones loved to chat and tell many a colourful story filled with so much wisdom that would be soaked up like a sponge. She smiles now as she ponders on some of the talks she has had and the many lessons she has learnt from those wise old elders.

The lady of the sea was blessed with a gift of patients not only with a soft hand and hart for the elderly but she also held a gift with children, children loved to be within her presence, they would come to play with her own son and daughters and questions would be asked of the why’s and how comes, what ifs and what for. Her eyes sparkle even now with love as she remembers so clear in her mind the sights and the sounds of these children at play because play to the lady of the sea was seen as a way of learning, just as story telling was a way of teaching.

The lady’s husband worked away, underground, as his element was earth not water like his wife’s so most of her year was spent with her children, the community’s old folk and their sons and daughters. At meal times there was always more than just her own families mouths to feed as stray’s always seemed to end up gracing her table, so she became a master at stretching the family meal by throwing in an extra potato or two and some more greens from her garden into the big pot. As night would set in it was not strange to find small bodies spread about her wooden floors snuggled beneath the many colourful blankets that she had made with her own hands. This was her favourite part of the day, one which always brought warmth to her heart, she had a home her own cloud of sleeping angels, she couldn’t ask her God’s for more, she was blessed, she loved and was loved.

Life moved on at a steady pace, the seasons came and went and her husband continued to come and go but the children were always there. She held so much love and light within her that she could feel her chest expand with pride when she looked at what her own and the islands children were becoming how they were growing and learning. Even in those difficult times when the children would rebel, when doubt crept in and touched her own being, she new deep within her heart that she had taught and loved them well and when needed protected them with her outspread wings nestling them close to her heart just as her friend the sea eagle would have done with his own. Thankful for the guiding hands of her God’s and their reassuring voices in some of those troubled times the wonderful memories always out numbered the not so pleasant ones so she pocketed all the wonderful experiences she shared over the years, over half her life and pulled them out often for a peek. Her life was full and it was a good life.

The years past and the children grew into strong young adults most left the island to find new experiences, new lessons on life to be learnt, and the lady new her part had been played, their journey with her was almost over and then somewhere, somewhere in time her husband did not follow the path back to their home, he did not return……

Watching the sun now as it pours light into her home the lady of the sea sits warming her hands on a cup of tea. Looking back she would not change the path she has travelled even with its many twists, turns and heartaches as she knows this life’s journey so far has given her, her own strengths and she prays that she has passed on some of that strength to her own. The lady prays that these strengths will help to carry her through the rough paths that she is yet to travel…….. she can smell them on the sea breeze.
A pray is said a favour asked “please make this rough road a short one”

And she sits now with only her memories her smiles and her tears as she remembers the years past.

AS THEY WILL IT, SO MOTE IT BE.

Copyright © 2007 Stormeagle13