Come in, come in and sit here in this chair. I know you are tired and weary.

You have been on a long journey and have been pursuing your goals, tying to achieve, to conquer, to be strong. I see your independence.  I see your weariness and your call for rest, for quiet, to be let alone, to be able to lay down your burdens of worry and care. You can see no way out and nothing attracts or offers you hope of escape like before. There are no more hiding places, your body is worn out, your eye lids so heavy, on the constant verge of tears. You have been calling out, sending out indicators to those who are with you on the journey, warnings that you cannot carry on much longer. But they are caught up in their own struggles and they pay you no mind. Your silent pleas have turned into screams for attention, yet they still do not hear you.  You realize there is no rescuer coming to save you, no hero riding in on a white stallion to scoop you up and pull you away from your torment. You have woven a spider web of silken threads which bind you tight and make you feel as if you are caught like a fly in the net of your own making. You want someone else to carry the burden, to pick up your concerns and for everyone to let you alone. You want to just sit in the quiet, away from the demands of those who pester you with their incessant requests and expectations, who give you no moments of peace or rest. Where can you go?  What can you do? You have lost your way and sense of direction. All doors seem closed and your mind races within your head like a squirrel gathering and discarding nuts. Maybe this one, no, then maybe this one,  no,  then maybe….

Now here you are at my door, tired and weary. Too tired to go any further.  I know your weariness. Come in and rest.  Sit in this soft chair and let me take your shoes. .  let me get you some tea and some bread. No need to thank me. I am happy to have your company. Let us leave the exterior world of distractions outside and close the door on what is outside  and simply sit together here in this quiet place. Let us sit in this  tranquility, let us listen to the silence, let us sit in the solitude but share it with each other.  There is no need to talk, no need for conversation. Let us sit here quietly and simply gaze upon each other.  Release your cares, pass them over to me and let me carry them for you.  Rest, my love. Rest.  Lean back and let this place envelope you, let go of everything that has burdened you. I will be with you as long as you need and you can stay here for as long as you want. There is nothing to bother you here.

Can you feel the warmth surrounding you, can you feel your body relaxing, all the thoughts that have tormented you becoming as nothing, like mist rising?  I am so glad that you have come— I have been waiting an eternity for you to know that I am always here for you, that I breathe as you breathe, that I live as you live, that you and I are as one, that the peace you feel in this moment is always possible for you when you turn your face toward me, when you open the door and come in. Come in and stay with me.

Gwendolyn Villebrun