Sarah’s Saint – IV

The days are growing shorter. We’ve been blessed with warmer weather, but I know it won’t last. I rise earlier these days and walk the beach as I say my rosary. I’m not sure when it happened, but I find peace in my daily prayers. I never used to say the rosary, except when it was said in church. Somewhere along the line, that changed. I am called to pray it daily and do my best to oblige.

It’s been weeks since I last saw my … well, friend. I’m not sure what to call her, but she has not been back since the storms. My sleep has been solid and undisturbed. Perhaps that is the reason. My dreams are no longer bringing me here, to my favourite spot.

Today, the clouds seem to shimmer against the sun as if they are dancing just for me. Yesterday, there was not a cloud in the sky. Even the hue of blue seems more radiant.

“That’s because you are closer to heaven here,” she said.

“Well, hello. I thought you forgot about me.” I seemed to forget for a minute that I was awake, and she shouldn’t be here.

“You thought the enemy scared me off. Even if you don’t say it, I know. Come sit awhile with me.”

We planted ourselves in the sand. The warm sun broke through the clouds. I lifted my face and said a silent prayer of thanksgiving for this beautiful day.

“Amen to that, Sister.”

She said it so matter-of-factly that I was caught off guard. “Is that what we are? Sisters?”

“We are both born of God, so yes, I can call us sisters.”

“So, you are not an angel then.” It wasn’t a question, more of an observation.

“I’m not. I once walked this earth as you do now. That’s all you’ll get from me today,” she said and smiled. “You are a curious one. Fixated on names, when they aren’t even important.”

“How can it not be important? Names identify us. Shouldn’t I know who you are? You keep visiting me after all.” I didn’t know what I expected, but her laughing wasn’t it.

“I’m sorry, but you should see your face. So serious. My name truly isn’t important. Our spirit and how we live is what identifies us. More so than our names anyway. The reason I’m here is more important, and you haven’t asked about that. Not yet, anyway.”

I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. Instead I asked, “What happened last time? Why did you leave in the middle of…”

“I didn’t leave. Not really. I stepped out for a second to get reinforcements. Sometimes it takes more than one to fight the enemy and his minions. When I stepped back, you had already woken up, but I was there. You can’t seem to see me when you are awake. Not because it isn’t allowed, but because you normally can’t comprehend what is happening. Plus, if you were walking down the beach talking to someone that nobody could see, the others might think you odd.”

“I’m not sure I know now, and yes, people would probably think I was crazy. Obviously I’m asleep, but I could have sworn I was awake.”

“Dreams are like that. They feel as real as life itself. For good or bad, they are a reflection of what is happening with you, around you, and because of you.”

I looked back up into the clouds and pondered what she had said. Her words held a hint of truth. The world was in chaos, and at times, so were my dreams. My fears, my hopes, my dreams were all reflected in different dreams at different times. Visions expressed randomly in REM cycles.

I turned to look back, only to find she had gone. Sadness washed over me. I wasn’t sure when she’d be back. She hadn’t stayed long. I guess I expected more, but more of what? Turmoil? Confusion? Fear? Understanding?

“I’ll be back sooner than you think,” came her whisper on the breeze. “Time is meaningless to me. It is an endless moment across infinity.”

My eyes opened. I sat up and rubbed my face. The sun shining through a sliver in the curtains felt warm on my face – almost familiar. It was another peaceful sleep. Stretching, I rose and stepped into a new day where anything was possible. 

If you are enjoying Sarah’s Saint, you may like other short faith stories which you can find on the Faith Stories link of Leslie’s website.