Where Are You?

I open my eyes and surrounding me is lush beautiful green forest. Ahead of me is a path, a winding one with many turns along the way. But I stand awe of this beautiful place for I can smell the wet leaves and ground which is very pleasing to me.

The sun is already at 08:00 and everything is already moving about in the forest. The little creatures are foraging for food and scampering around happily. So difficult to describe this wondrous sight as it is so breathtaking. Every green leaf and plant on the ground still has the morning dew upon it which shimmers in the sunlight of the new morning.

The rays of sun stream through the trees and dance upon the winding river to my left and I walk through the foliage to the edge of it. Standing with my feet firmly planted on the ground I peer over the edge into the water. Little fish swim about in schools doing their morning dance and it makes me smile. I get down on my knees and look closer into this calm little river and dip my finger in the cool water. The water spreads outward in rings fanning and shimmers as it does so.

I return to my feet and walk through the foliage on the path once again and begin my journey slowly down the path. I know there is something, someone of great joy awaiting me, but where shall it... or shall they be?

I consider each lovely tree, some quite old as they stretch up into the sky before me. Beautiful handy work the patterns are in the bark of this tree as if someone had designed each piece in such loveliness. Consider the trees, how they grow how magnificent they are and what they have seen from the time they were merely a sapling. Consider the knowledge they have gleaned along the ages of time, so strong they stand stretching towards the heavens.

A warm breeze has touched my face, gently as it rustles through the trees. Warmer for this time of year but pleasing as it caresses my skin. I lift my face towards the sky and allow the warm sunshine to bathe my face. I breathe in deeply the fresh air and all the wonderful smells of the forest. But… what is this? A smell I have not yet noticed here before. What could it be?

I continue on my journey forward following this pleasing smell. I hesitate and look left and right curiously to see if I can see what this most pleasing aroma is, but nothing is in sight yet.

My heart is pounding harder as I am starting to fill with excitement. I know whatever awaits me is good, I sense this, I know this, I feel this. And I realize, it is not something that is there for me to discover, it is someone… someone waits for me as they have done for many ages and it is time to discover now who this person is.

I am feeling radiant, my smile widens as I playfully look behind each tree… peeking quickly, but nothing there. Hmmm, could this be a trick or my imagination? But I continue onward, still checking behind boulders and trees, behind bushes and calling out, “where are you?” Is this a trick you are playing on me?

I hear a hushed laugh, very quiet barely audible but it is there. I run to look behind the next tree and nothing. Now I stand frustrated, will I ever find what I seek? The forest is playing tricks with me, and I frown a bit. This is not fair, I know there is someone here I have sought from the beginning of time and they hide him from me.

I sit down on a large boulder, looking about thinking, when suddenly two hands cover my eyes and I jump a bit with a start. These hands are warm and caring and I have no fear now, I know this is the one I have sought for a very long time. My heart is now racing, yet afraid to turn around and knowing I must. Heart beating as though it will burst forth from my bosom I turn around slowly...

Yes, t’is he, the one love of my life and our eyes meet and his light is my light and my light is his light. Our glow illuminates all surrounding us as we embrace one another and smile. One warm kiss, one gentle embrace, our souls unite and we are once again one.

 Carolee Dennis-Woosley

January 9, 2009