Wishes and Prayers

Raindrops fell in a simple quiet beat. The grayness hung heavy in the clouds, but the distant view hinted at hope. Other than the drops of rain and screaming thoughts, silence surrounded her. It was the silence that reminded her. Silence magnified the void.

She shuffled through photos. Browsed signatures on cards. Memories only bounced against the empty walls and spaces of her heart.

The ring of the phone jolted the silence...ignore was her reaction. She needed the silence. She needed the waves to rush over her, that morning she needed the emptiness.

The days had been busy and full. There hadn't been time to feel it, really feel it. She had stood steady for others and moved with automaticity through the plans.She knew she needed to walk this path to get through. There was no escaping it, the storm had to come.

So she climbed beneath the pain and allowed it to seep in. It moved through her every being. It unleashed and swarmed like bees. Her mind and heart were full and dark. All hope and joy had closed their doors. Sorrow took residence. She surrendered to it and allowed herself to feel it. She breathed it through her nose and out her mouth. It climbed aboard her heartbeat and swam through her veins.

But it was from within this darkness she could see a small speck of light. Darkness magnified the light. A song drifted through her senses. The words penetrated the despair and pierced at the darkness. It called to her in a whisper. The words were of healing and salvation.

Her eyes darted back to the window. The hope that was in the distance now danced in streams at the window. She closed her eyes and wished....and her wishes became prayers.

Her wishes sat upon the puddles, and would rise with the sun. Some would fall back to her, and others would sustain her. Healing and hope would stand side by side with sorrow, balancing her and keeping her steady.

Her wishes whispered to her....this too shall pass....this storm will end.

Linking up with the Lightning and the Lightning Bug today....#59 Wishing!

Common Ground

They all sat in their own space, elbow to elbow, in silence and anticipation. They had studied long and hard to prepare for a day such as today. But within their separate unseen walls they were isolated by language and culture barriers. Unable to communicate their mix of fear and excitement, they kept their eyes averted, their heads down, each praying to their own, each in a language native to them.

At lunch time there was some movement. Each unpacked their brown bags or vinyl packs. Scents of seasons and liquids penetrated the dull room as they ate in their continued silence. The chewing and slurring and grumbling stomachs seemed louder in the silence now.

As they bags were tossed, they lay their heads in many directions, catching some rest before the work would begin. The breathing was rhythmic and one would think this group was in sync. But their lives were each disconnected from the other, all drawn here for a different reason and or purpose. The dreams they dreamed were their own.

Then the sounds came from above. The roars of the helicopter woke them each. And with precise movement they moved, patterns and routine were evident. The noise became louder as it came closer.

As they hit the ground running, common ground was quickly discovered among this group. A single purpose now…to save lives. The injured were moved out quickly, stretchers on the ground. Each individual now became part of a team, each doing their specific role, creating a function of saving lives.

Communication suddenly opened, not in words, but through eyes and hands. Directions were given, details to problems…with points, grunts, and urgency in their pupils. This went on for hours…and then days. Triumphs were shared with hands held high, smiles across faces; discouraged hugs and hands on shoulders when the goals were not reached.

The days passed, and this journey was over. None shared a name, an address or a phone number. But the memories of this day, the faces and the people were etched in each one’s mind. They were no longer connected with the vision of these days. They walked away from this common ground…back into a world of their own.

The prompt that inspired this piece:
At what point does a person stop being a stranger to you? How do you determine the difference between a new friend and an old enemy? Who, exactly, owns the tree that seems to be growing on the property line between you and your neighbor?

This week's theme is "Common Ground." I'm sure there are all kinds of different ways to interpert that theme, so I'm excited to see what you all come up with.

Linking up with the Lighting Bug..join us, it's fun!