I had a dream that I was taking a walk and I came upon a huge open field of grass and little purple flowers, and there in the middle were two rocks, which seemed to invite me to sit. And I did. After a few minutes of sitting in this huge open space, I looked up at the sky and out of nowhere, there were suddenly hundreds of kites; so many kites of different shapes and sizes and so many colors. I was blown away by how many there were, and no one was flying them and none of them had kite strings… they were just hovering above me.
I asked the sky to help me understand the significance of the kites and why they had no strings, I was very consumed by the fact that they were flying without assistance and I needed an explanation.
I don’t know if the voice was actually loud and real, or if it was in my head, but what I heard, was this… “the kites represent everyone you have sat with who was dying. They do have strings, but they are invisible, because they no longer need them. They can fly on their own now, because people like you and all of the others who hold the hand of someone who is dying let their strings go, ever so gently, as they guided out and upward to wherever they were destined to go… floating away like kites without strings. Hold your hand out… you will feel the strings even though they are invisible, and that is your reminder of those you have comforted.” So, I held my hand out and I could feel hundreds of strings tickling my hand and I smiled, and giggled a little … and then I cried.
After I woke up, I was really overwhelmed by my dream and I wanted to try and draw what it was that I saw. So please forgive my child-like artistry, but this drawing is what I saw.
For all of you who have held hands at bedsides and provided comfort to those who were dying, thank you. I know how I feel about doing this work, and I can only imagine that you feel the same.
xo
Gabby
This was written for my book "At the Bedside."
You can find this book here:
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