Time rolled on. Seasons changed. Generations came and went. And the worlds aligned.
In the mountains of New York, I was born. As if they had known what I was, as if they could see the threads of magic in my blood, they took me, bound me, they enslaved me. Careful to keep an ever watchful eye, I was brought up a slave. All of my identity was conditioned out of me. My purpose, to obey and serve men, was conditioned into me. I lost everything except my body, which was to be used.
They conditioned me so well, that when I lost a slave master, my conditioning urged me to find another. For no slave should every be without a master.
But my will was strong. My fortitude was relentless. Every challenge set upon me, I greeted and asked, “What am I being prepared for?”
It was imperative that I learn patience. Endurance. Perseverance. Fortitude. Steadfastness. Strength. For I would rise again and pull myself from the sewage. I knew this all had a purpose. I knew I was meant for greater things. And I knew I had to survive and see those greater things.
I studied. I read. I learned. I challenged. I let their beatings shape me into a warrior. They would not break me. I would not quit. I would hold my head up. I would smile to spite their hate.
So many times I could see the light. It was always just around the corner. I was so close. I could see the promise ahead. And that light kept me going.
I can’t tell you how many times I thought I was done. I stepped into a ray of sunlight and was certain I had found the sun. It isn’t until the next ray of light that you realize what you found before was not the sun, but you’re certain, THIS time, that you have found the sun.
But it isn’t discouraging. It’s exciting and so… so happy. As if… each ray of light is a promise that you’re getting close. That you’re almost there. That the next ray of light will be bigger, warmer, more beautiful, brighter. As if these sun beams are your reward for the work you do.
I found another ray beam yesterday. And this time, I know it’s not the sun. It’s blinding. But there’s too much discomfort still for me to be at the end, but I’m so close. And I’m so happy. If only we could see this one last philosophical understanding. If only we could see just one more… It’s so close.