THE BEACON IN DARKNESS
TULIP sat down at a local eatery in her hometown of Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada - called Humble Roots - to enjoy a delicious eggs Benny during their sixth anniversary celebration. She brought along a new library book entitled “Think You’ll Be Happy” authored by Nicole Avant.
It turns out the book is one of those helpful accounts, from a real life example, that injects light into darkness, illuminating a path of dismal, choking grief and spiraling depression and bringing forward a renewed sense of optimism about the future. The theory sounds so logical and easy to outsiders; but, taking the first step and then stepping further is extremely difficult for grieving people at all levels, be it loss of a loved one, marriage, job, skill, culture, homeland, mobility or tragedy.
Every now and then such a person enters the door into Tulip’s life, and she willingly holds that door open, easily, determined to luminate some sense of help that at least causes the dim light of a candle to shine.
The experience has, at times, been grueling, difficult, painful, perplexing, distressing and depressing, but not so easy to run away from, because despite the sadness, stress and complexities, giving unconditionally and willingly has the power to make the meager ray of light from that dimly lit shimmering candle become at least a bit more steady.
The experience can also backfire when the grieving is embedded in stuck mode — when the person cannot see a hand, feel a hand or hold a hand, and opts to shun, shelter and spin.
Either way Tulip stands tall, and feels pride, joy and satisfaction in stepping to the plate; but, she also knows when to recede and rescind, yielding to saving herself from exhaustion, abuse and impossible odds.
Books like “Think You’ll Be Happy” go a long way in lightening the load for people who are struggling (as well as good people trying to make sense of it all) to set a path, and to restore optimism and confidence in a helping hand and even, one day, — a hug.
Is it comfort? Is it friendship? Is it something called love?
It is comfort. It is friendship. It is something called love.
It's the comfort of knowing we are not alone
It's the real friendships that we continue to hone
it's the unconditional love that feels so much like home.]
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