…and so the days went by, some faster than other ones.
At times, she would look at the construction and only see a shapeless pile of
rocks, a sight that frustrated her more and more every time. Then the rain came
down, pouring like never before, and it would wash away her foundations over
and over and over again. That’s how she realized that May had arrived, and how
much she hated that time of the year. She got mad at the rain many times, for
it made her feel even more nostalgic. She would stay up all night just fighting
against it to keep the rocks in its place, freezing and crying and wishing she
could have the heart’s light to keep her warm. But it only got more difficult
as the days passed by. Her will was still strong, but her hands, back and eyes
were tired… and her mind would betray her at times, and would make her imagine
things that made her unease to the point she had no strength to work. She felt
defeated and lost… because the one thing that terrified her more than the heart
not making it to the shore safely, was that it arrived before the lighthouse
was ready.
She did not want to fail, but it became evident that
she couldn’t do it on her own… and so, on a stormy night, she went under the
thunders to make her peace with the higher power. She asked for forgiveness for
her previous mistakes, for being so proud and so stubborn, and for every single
thing that had turned her into that despicable thing she once was. And on her
knees, she begged for a sign. A sign to keep trusting and waiting for the heart
just like she had vowed… or a sign to give up and let it go forever. She promised
she would obey either way, for she now accepted that anything to come would be
for her own good… “All I ask for is a sign, and the wisdom to read it!” she
cried
And just like that, the storm shut down and a great
silence invaded the shore. The sky turned clear and a silent peace invaded her
bones and every inch of her soul. A clear, blue beam lit up the horizon,
followed by a strong beat that echoed like a lion’s roar all across the shore
and the mountains behind it. She stood on her feet, closed her eyes and
whispered “thank you”, as she wiped off her tears. She now had her sign, and
the renewed strength she needed to resume her task.
She finally realized she could not fight the rain, but
she could find ways to build a stronger structure to stand it. She had to start
practically from scratch after every attempt, but she knew every failure meant
she was one step closer to finding the right way. She began to learn, and her
hands, back and eyes became stronger with time. She learned to control her fears,
and every time she began to feel insecure or impatient, she reminded herself
that nothing could stop the heart from finding its way, or the lighthouse from
rising tall and firm, as long as she had the higher power’s approval.
And soon it became day 95… there was still no
lighthouse, nor the heart had arrived. But this time, as she sat on the shore
and contemplated the pile of rocks behind her, she realized the foundations
were already there… not on the ground, but in her. She curled up in the sand
and closed her eyes; and as she said a prayer, she pictured the wooden chest... her home,
floating in the middle of the ocean… with her heart inside it, beating and
shining like never before. “Right here” she whispered as she fell asleep…
