No path… No stars… Between the clouds weeping most of the last few months and the chasm that ripped my heart open, nothing glittered, nothing beckoned, nothing enticed me to open the door and explore the world…

But the body has become restless and is demanding movement. The ears are registering sounds of activity outside my Fortress of Solitude. I guess it time to raise the portcullis, pry open the massive door and step onto that path again. Do I have the strength and the courage to greet the world?

Inch by inch the crack grows and slowly a moonbeam shows the way. Wow! A huge flashlight! That full moon has put a spotlight on the path. There are no shadows and the way is clear. One foot past the door. My body is on the alert and ready to retreat back into my cocoon. Breathe… breathe… Release those mind monkeys. Slow breathing… Concentrate on bringing the other foot past the lintel and methodical closing the door. Thunk. Click. There, done!

Looking around and slowly breathing in the cool evening air, it begins to feel familiar: like a long-lost friend that has been waiting patiently and is finally able to give that warm, comforting hug we both needed – topped by the sunniest smile a moonbeam can muster. My feet decide to SKIP along BUT those Mind Monkeys showed up.

“Do you remember where the exposed roots are?”

“Where the dips hide?”

“Where those loose stones are?”

“Slow down. Regroup.”

I could have turned back then, but the stars beckoned and the evening birds filled my starved ears. So, I continued slowly, cautiously to the oak, the Guardian of the Pond. And there another greeting: bullfrogs in full chorus. And the baby birch nearby, having grown some, shows off its leafy branches, waving its welcome.

Looking around I saw a path I don’t remember from before the chasm broke into my life. But now a mystery beckoned. It was well-trodden so, how come I never noticed it? Where does it lead? Who uses it so regularly?

Stepping onto the path, the tree canopy made it feel like a tunnel. It is quieter here but not eerie; calm and almost exciting. I must have walked for about an hour in a déjà vu vibe with questions dancing in my head but no answers.

 

And then – a building just off the path. Strange shape, no visible windows or doors. I was staring at it, trying to figure out what it was when suddenly, a neon sign started flashing on and off like those Disco strobe lights. Hard to see its message as the bright lights kept blinding me. So, of course, I inched closer to the building. Still no visible door or windows. But the mad disco lights settled down somewhat and the sign proclaimed –

ZH@TT Studios….

Holy (your favourite explicative) !!!!!!!! What the……

Alright! This is far too weird for me at this point. I turned on my heels and even the resident monkeys decided they would channel their infamous flying cousins and helped me get home in record time.