Of Wings And Thorns (on hold)

Prolouge

There was a time, not so long ago, when I was about five years old. My mom had taken me to a place that shaped the way I thought about the world for the rest of my life. I remember that day so clearly, so profoundly, that there is no other happy memory from my childhood that could compete with it.

I never knew that what I learned from that beautiful place, would have ever effected me so much. That it would be such a major part of my life as the future went on.

From that place, I learned to always be happy. I learned that you must be the one to lend a helping hand to others. To never let anyone go through life alone.

I always wondered how it was possible. How one place that you went to for the first time as a little girl, could have so much meaning.

I can picture that place in my head so clearly right now in this moment. I can feel the tall grass brushing against what used to be my short legs, the light breeze caressing my body. I can smell the perfume of flowers all around me. I can see the vibrant green dotted by the hues of all the colors of the rainbow. But, most importantly I can see the rose bushes.

Looking back I find it strange that there were so many rose bushes there, but I know that somehow that meadow would fall flat without them. Those roses needed to be there. They served a purpose. A purpose that in turn taught me so much about who I wanted to be and how I wanted life to be for me.

Surrounding the meadow was a dense forest. The trees were a inviting vibrant green serving as a backdrop to the beautiful array of rose bushes.

I had spent much of my time in those fields, but it was the memory of being with my mom that first trip that made all my other memories there pale in comparison.

I remember my mom helping me out of the car. I had a yellow sundress on and was excited to see the place she had been telling me about for weeks prior.

I was a tiny little thing back then. My head barely reached past her knee. I remember looking up at her and my cheeks strained from the gigantic smile that appeared on my face at the sight of this beautiful meadow.

Grasping tightly at her hand I had pulled her along as fast as I could as I ran gleefully through the grass. I heard my mom laughing so sweetly like a beautiful lullaby that soothes the soul.

We ran until we reached the middle of the flower infested field and threw ourselves on the soft ground. She had picked me up in her arms and I looked up into her sapphire eyes shining gleefully in the moment. We lied there for a while and I laughed looking up at the clouds in the sunny sky.

"That one is a turtle," I said pointing at a cloud.

"That one looks like you!" she replied watching the sky.

"No, I think that one looks like you!!" I giggled.

"Aww, My little Friola, I love you so much."

"I love you too mommy!" I replied.

"Come I want to show you something." She stood and held out her hand.

"Ok mommy." I grabbed her hand.

We had walked towards the colorful rosebushes and I started to get really excited. Too much so in fact because I ran towards the bushes seeing a beautiful blue butterfly land on one of the soft pink flowers. I tripped and fell right before the roses scratching the back of my hand on the thorns from the bush.

My mom rushed over to me and made sure that I didn't have any major damages, but I felt fine and just smiled up at her.

Then I giggled because I saw that same butterfly landing there on that same flower.

I whispered, "So pretty." As I tried to get as close as I could to the bush without touching it.

"Look mommy! Look at the pretty butterfly! Isn't it pretty?" I said.

Shaking her head laughing she said, "Yes it is Friola. Yes it is."

"Sienna, sweetheart, I have something important for you to hear ok."

Knowing that she was using my real name I simply nodded and waited for her to continue.

"Roses are not the only thing in the world that has thorns." She started.

"In this world people have thorns too. Thorns that have developed from pain and suffering." She paused.

"You know how that butterfly could touch the center of the flowers?"

I nodded my head curiously.

"I want you to be like those butterflies. Friola, I want you to touch peoples hearts like the butterfly touches the core of the flower."

I smiled understanding. "You want me to help people!"

"Yes. Yes I do want you to help people... Will you be like a butterfly for me darling?"

Grinning I said, "Of course mommy! I want to be a butterfly!"

"Thank you Friola."

The rest of the day was spent in happiness and joy, but that simple moment changed everything. It gave me a purpose. One that I was happy to commit to. I was to touch peoples hearts just like a butterfly.

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