Alone But Not Alone | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Alone But Not Alone | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jennifer Champion
09/12/22
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Outside the casement window, cattle are speaking in their soft, low moos. The scent of wild sage wafts through the screen reminding me of Thanksgiving. I sit up and rest my chin on the sill to watch the moon dance across Suches Creek. A chill races up my arm as the wind coming off the mountain blows by to say hello.

“Hello, Wind. Where have you been?” I ask.

The fireplace crackles and spits embers into the chimney as the wind comes into the room.

“I have been up on the mountain for many days talking with God.” The wind whispered in my ear.

I pulled the fleece blanket up to my chin. The wind rushed by and swooped into the valley brushing the tops of the muscadine vines.

“Goodbye, Wind.” I waved.

Wrapping the blanket around my shoulders, I made my way across the hardwood floors to the kitchen. The creaking of the boards beneath my bare feet suddenly suggests the loneliness here. A cup on the counter, handmade with creek clay by a local artist beckons for use. In a pine cabinet, with its wide grain and wrought iron handle, I find a tin of coffee.

I open the lid and the aroma of butter pecan and chicory fill my nostrils. Nearby, an owl hoots.

“Hello, Owl. Where have you been?” I yell out.

The thundering of wings is nearby, and I turn to see the white owl sitting on the porch outside the kitchen window.

“I have been in the star lit sky tonight talking with God.” Owl tells me and then takes flight.

“Goodnight, Owl.” I wave.

With coffee in hand, I head up the narrow stairs to my bedroom. A gentle rain begins to fall on the metal roof, lending more to the sorrow of my singular existence. Each drop patters overhead like tiny feet running to get somewhere fast. The storm brings with it freshness and renewal as I know tomorrow the flowers will glisten in the morning sun. The robin family nesting in the magnolia will leave to find plump, fat worms making their way from underground.

“Hello, Rain. Where have you been?” I ask.

As I sit on the edge of my bed, a drop of water falls into my cup. Soon, another drop and another.

“I have been traveling a great distance speaking with God along the way.” The rain spoke.

Then came a hush across the land and I knew the rain had moved on.

“Goodbye, rain." I said as I looked up to the ceiling. The drip had stopped.

As I nestle myself in the bed and turned off the light. I notice the walls are decorated with shadows from the tulip tree outside my window. The occasional shadow of a tiny bug flying by will visit. The smell of wet wood is comforting as I push deeper under the warmth of the patchwork quilt. Maybe tomorrow, I will go fishing in the creek. There will still be plenty of worms after the birds have eaten. I feel alone in the stillness.

“Hello, God. Where have you been?” I ask.

Then, a peace comes over me. In the silence of the small cabin, I hear God.

“My child, I was in the wind that filled your room and, in the owl, outside. I was in rain that fell on you. I am in the shadows on your wall and in the light of the moon. I am everywhere.” God said.

I close my eyes and rest in His presence. No goodbyes are needed because God let me know tonight, He will never leave me.

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