I Met An Old Woman

 

I met an old woman while I walked a path, she stopped me and asked for help. I did just that and set upon again on my journey, when she considered me a moment and called me back again.

"Pardon me" she said as she laid her hand upon my arm "but I sense something in you, that seems you are very sad. May I help you as you have helped me?"

"Thank you for thinking of me, but no there is nothing you can help. There is something I must do, and I must do it alone".

I bid her a good day and continued on my way. I must've walked for an hour or so, when I swear before me, there she stood.

"Please let me help you, young one. You seem in such pain. I have a remedy that may be of comfort", she implored.

I wondered from where she came from for her to pass me unseen or appear as a dream. I tried my best to reason with her that I didn't want her help.

Then she asked that I sit with her for a small spell. Her feet were tired and her eyes, weary.

So I granted her request on the promise that after this she would bother me no more. She promised, and so we sat quietly regarding each other with just a smile to share in between.

I was anxious to leave for night was coming quick, and I had a trip to make, a job to do.

But I'd been taught to respect my elders and maybe she still needed me though she wouldn't say, so I did with the wish her strength would soon return, and we could part ways.

"I sense in you a troubled heart, tell me what is the matter with you?" she inquired.

What I replied next should have me burn in a lake of fire. I was so rude and oh so mean to this old woman. I didn't realize she was saving me. An unlikely angel with a favor to answer.

"I just wish to set back upon my path, without being followed. I told you before I do not need to borrow a thing".

Oh, to see the look upon her face, what sadness I seen hung mine in disgrace. With heavy shoulders and a sigh to boot. I sat back down and buried my shame, but she forgave me and placed no blame.

"My world is crushed, my heart is broken. I have no use for it anymore. I was set upon a path to go bury it somewhere, so I shouldn't think of it anymore" I finally bled out.

Silently she watched me while at my lowest point. One question she did ask. "Why?".

The frustration within me began to build once again, but I would not make the same mistake twice. I took a moment to answer before my anger spoke.

"All my life, I've wished for a love so true. Someone to hold me, but love is just cruel. It took from me and drained me till nothing was left. Now I'm ready to be done with it".

"If you were to meet someone upon your path, that needed one. Would you give yours rather than bury it?"

"No, its tainted, its cold and black from misuse, I couldn't think to harm another with my curse".

"Very well" she said and stood, " I must be off for I too have things to do. I just thought since you helped me, you would help another too. Your heart seems to work fine, but go about your business I will not tell. But you may need someone as much as they need you".

Then in a blink of an eye the old woman was gone. I set upon my feet and continued on.

When I arrived at hallowed ground, there came upon my sight, a man of my age lost, dejected, and sad. Yet all I could think was about the old lady, what had she said about helping yet another?

The man asked me for help, and the goosebumps ran over my skin, why was that? I wondered to myself, as I tried to rub it away. He just needed help to find a lost love, and together we searched the grounds. When he found what he was looking for he sought to thank me and kissed my cheek.

I waved goodbye and found my spot. It was near an old oak tree and a statue of an angel ever near. I kneeled upon my knees, unbothered by the dirt and plowed away at it till I reached a deep enough hole.

Just as I had pulled out my heart and thrown it in. Another laid in that very same spot. A heavy hand rested upon my shoulder and I turned up to look in wonder. A most extraordinary thing happened.

We exchanged thoughts, memories, loves and laughs, pain joy and wrath. All within that simple touch and something ignited and lit within us both.

We were one in the same looking for each other. "Don't bury your heart, there" he said to me.

"I made that same mistake long ago, and returned to claim it before the girl came. An old woman told me you'd be here and said you were my match. I didn't believe her but curious to find the truth. I came as quickly as I could".

He began his tale " See, I'd buried mine long ago and had forgotten long since where? But when I seen you by the angel, I swore that had to be the spot. So let's join our hearts and see what happens."

He pulled his out as I had pulled mine, but instead of returning it to its old casing we traded to see what was missing. There we found we were the key to one another, and the old woman hid behind a tree and smiled. Her work was done at least for a little while.