Skate

Last night I sunk deeply into a warm mattress and found nothing but cold.  I pulled the blankets up tight but they quickly turned to ice.  I found myself wrapped in a cold and  bitter worry.  The ice was so thick I decided to  have a skate.  I tightened my laces and began to fly.  Burdens turned to crystals and my eyes began to rain.  The world crackled and broke beneath my feet till it was gone.  My arms were flailing but the river did not rage.  There was no life raft.  I was tossed and then turned into the land of dreams.

As I opened the door, I found my family.  They surrounded a large table sheltered only by a blue tarp that was flapping furiously in the wind.  It was snowing.  I could hear the wind screaming yet no one said a word.  Everyone sat expressionless and stared blankly at an empty wooden table.  Next to us sat a large white house with black shutters.   No one entered.  The blizzard intensified.  Suddenly, the tarp gave way and an avalanche fell upon us.  Instantly I was alone.  It was dark and I was buried.  I struggled to breathe.  I saw a single light shining and moved myself towards it.  I continued to follow it until I was free. I found my family standing in a field.  It was green with life and  blanketed in sun.  I could feel the warmth and calm wash over me.   That’s when I woke up.

As my eyes found the morning light  I thought about how we are all buried in snow.  We are all trapped under an avalanche of stress, worry and at certain times, despair.   This time of year can be exceptionally heavy as we all face the strain of the holidays along with year-end deadlines and workloads that can seem impossible to bear.  Yet, just like my dream, it is important to remember there is always a light.  It may look like a lighter flickering in a raging storm but it is that small glimmer that can  spark a fire of  happiness.

There is always a light no matter how long the tunnel.  As you travel through give kindness even to those who seem undeserving.  Find magic for it is hidden even in the deepest sadness.  Hold hands and hold each other up.  Remember, the thaw will always come.  Till then, lace up, smile and skate.