Souls Blossom in Winter

The entire time, Cree continued to chant. He laid his hand on all her chakras; he charged the stones with restorative energy. Without speaking, he let her know that the healing was going well. It felt as if she had been away for an eternity. There was neither time nor space in this other dimension, only a simple silent infinity. It was the quietest place Bridget had ever experienced. All thoughts disappeared, and profound peace encompassed her soul. For the first time, I know I am divine, whole, and complete. I am enveloped by a love so exquisite. I have no words to describe the immensity. I have met my true essence and become one with all things. I am pure consciousness, one mind, one heart, one spirit, and one being. I remember that I have never been separate from the One Source. She opened her eyes and slowly adjusted to the daylight. It was nearly sunset. Six or seven hours had passed. She heard her human name again within herself. “Bridget, please give me something, a gift that will represent this day for you.” It was Cree’s voice. Moments later, he was gone. She stumbled along the beach, found her tank top and shorts, and reluctantly put them on. She had forgotten about all the shells and stones she had collected earlier. She shifted through them and found a shell that matched the colors of the sunset, with faint shades of orange, pink, and yellow. Panting, she ascended the steep trail back to the top of the cliff. This walk is familiar. Instead of a walk of death, it is a walk for life. When she reached the top, there was Cree, standing on the edge of the bluff. She handed him the shell. He whispered, “Thank you,” out loud this time. Bridget gazed into his black eyes, watched his long hair, unbraided, sway in the wind that moved around them. She spoke faintly, “There is no language to express . . .” In her consciousness, she heard him say, I know. I have searched for you in many lifetimes. I had to perform this healing. I died before you and never had the chance to fix this before you killed yourself. Do you know what I am referring to? She responded, I understand. Thank you for finding me and reminding me of who I am. The earth was breathing. Bridget walked to an enormous fir tree and hugged it. It hugged her back. She heard nature whispering and the wind singing melodies, a symphony of all things. She felt alive and full in her physical body.