Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time, there was a little girl with bright eyes and thick, dark hair. She was born in a land far, far away, yet had been brought here, to this place of grief and joy, snow and sorrow. She arrived on a ship made of clouds and star shine one day in May. If anyone asked her if she remembered this other place, she would automatically say no, and then wonder quietly to herself how they knew she wasn't from their world. Did she seem that different to everyone around her? Had she not spent so much time there, so as to become indistinguishable from everyone else? She began to think not.

The people who raised her were considered her parents in every way. She rarely questioned her position in their family. It just was what it was. Her father had a warm scent, and she liked to hold his hand and put it to her nose and inhale deeply. Her mother was loving, sweet and kind, as all mothers should be. She smelled of tomato sauce and fried dough and was always singing or whistling as she worked. These details, though small, helped to make the girl feel safe, even when the warm scent of her father grew angry and felt like it would burn her skin. She grew up as most little girls did in those days, spending lazy summer days reading on an old blanket in the yard, playing hide and seek with those who dared to be her friend. She was quiet, and apprehensive around strangers, afraid of her own shadow and the demons that could lurk there. She knew there were demons in the world, and some of them lived in her house with her. She knew about angels and victims too, as they lived there also. Sometimes she felt she would be safer living at the zoo in the lion cage, other times she liked her unpredictable life. It was rather like being on a roller coaster. She never thought that's probably why she never liked carnival rides. Just looking at them made her stomach turn. It's funny she never made the connection, since she was a fairly bright girl.

When she finally made a real friend, the friend of a lifetime, she was never so grateful for anything. She had a few friends that lived near her house, but she was friends with them because of proximity, not because they were her soul mates.

When she first saw this girl from another land, she was mystified. This girl looked like no one she had ever seen. The girl had dark eyes like the night, and hair rich and thick as pitch. She didn't speak the language of the world the little girl lived in, but she wanted to be near this girl. She just knew they would understand each other. Here was someone from somewhere else...someone who might recognize her for who she really was and not shrink away in fear. Here was someone who looked as scared as she felt. This new girl might even be from the land far, far away and then she could tell the little girl about the place she was ripped away from. This girl smelled like exotic spices and food she had no names for. This girl looked like the answer to her prayers.

It turned out that these two girls fit together well, completed each other in a way. They learned from each other, one learning a new language and the ways of a foreign place and the other learning about trust, and love and friendship. They both needed each other, for different reasons, yet need is need and it can be something that lights a spark that kindles a friendship of a lifetime.

The new girl listened intently as the little girl told her stories of horses and ice skating, fairy tales she pretended were true. She lived in a place filled with fear and anxiety, and preferred to dwell in her fantasy world much of the time. Eventually, once she began to trust and feel safer, she left her fantasy life behind. No more lies, no more pet horses that didn't exist. She preferred reality, because her new friend lived there. It was a brighter place now, the world she lived in and she wasn't alone anymore. This new friend from a new place had saved her life.

They grew up eventually, as little girls are wont to do. There is nothing for it. Life goes on, high school, college, marriage...all these things happened to the two girls who didn't always live near each other. Sometimes they didn't speak for long stretches of time, but it never failed, when they heard each other's voices, the time between meetings was diminished and they picked right up where they left off. Their friendship was easy, and reassuring. It was one of the things in the world they could count on, despite the demons, angels and victims they might encounter in their everyday lives. Shadows didn't seem quite as frightening when they were together. The land far, far away didn't matter as much either. It was nice to have someone to be scared with....someone who didn't judge you for your humanity....someone who loved you anyways.

The little girl hoped that someday, she would tell her friend how grateful she was for her simple gift. Sometimes when we reach out in need, a hand is there, and it desires us as much as we do them.

Blessings come to us when we least expect it.

Thank you, my friend, she would say....I knew you the moment I saw you...I knew you would change my life. I still remember that moment....the look on your face, the light as it hit the blackboard in the little classroom. I remember it all, and I love you....just the way you are.

Thank you.......