By: Dawn Reif

Falling fast sliding down a slippery slope ...the darkness consumed me ....so very alone...as others were trying to break the fall I couldn't see the darkness was all around me....the crash on the bottom left me shattered completely... I stayed locked in self-pity...

I felt little pebbles falling and some hit me some rather harshly yet some very gently.... I heard the commotion of someone else plummeting down to join me... Omg, I thought no one else should ever be trapped here...no one should be trapped in this much fear...a place where ugly things grow and fester deep inside...shame..quilt ..remorse...just the right place to hide....so alone I thought I had died...

The person plummeted down and landed at my side.... I felt their presence and sensed a need similar to that growing inside of me....a connection...comfort..love ....hope ....a way out .... I heard them begin to question and plead as they crashed down beside me...

Honestly, I wanted to listen and just breath...for the company I was relieved and I could feel a little light entering in the place I was held captive by my own design...

Softly they spoke and with each word a melody of hope...creating a little more light....bit by bit...sharing dreams ... I felt my wings start to repair...and oh the despair was slowly beginning to disappear...

The ground became form... I felt strength slowly coming over me... I could crawl to the opening for at last I could see the light.... I wanted to grab my friend's hand and just take flight but all at once he was out of sight...

I was not upset...my energy flowing...hope to grow... I made my escape back to a better reality....although alone..so grateful for his company and the things he helped me see...in my darkest hour my greatest need...

And now I was finally freed... I looked up straight into the light and whispered thank you Confident that this was meant to be... We helped each other out... I on mine and his on his This new journey...

Sometimes help comes from unlikely heroes and its hard to let go, but the light they give us always glows...