Why Would I?

Rebirth

I don't remember much before the cottage in the woods. Most of the few memories I have were blurry nightmares clarified by my Aunt Keoriah. She was always loving in that way. Every time I had what I liked to call 'night-flashes' she was always there to help me clarify what really happened.

Most of the foggy memories started returning back to me when I was around ten years of age. At first it felt like deja-vu because my life felt like it began at age five, or at least that's when I remember it starting. I always found it odd that my life started at five.

 Growing up in the forest, I became rather close with all the wildlife, after all, how else would a child growing up in a cozy, stone cottage, deep into the woods, away from civilization entertain herself? I spent my first couple weeks of this life weak, in a small, rustic bedroom with a little glass pane window set perfectly in the view of a beautiful cherry blossom tree about to enter full bloom. At the tender age of five, I wasn't aware of it but I was about to witness life being brought into this beautiful yet cruel world.

It all started with a red-winged thrush creating a nest in the tree. Although I was weak and asleep half the time, the hours of the day I was awake I would stare out this window observing the petite bird bringing in little pieces of twigs, fur and other small items. It was fascinating to young me to watch this bird fly back and forth for days, pre-paring this small nest for something I was awaiting to see.

Aunt Keoriah would come check in on me and entertain me every now and then while I was bedridden. Although to me it seemed as though I was just born, her hazel eyes with splashes of green, gentle smile and shoulder length dirty blonde hair brought me comfort as if I new her from a past life. One morning as she was feeding me my breakfast, which was bland oatmeal for my recovery's sake, I was eyeing the nest outside the window.

"What's in the window Sylvana?" Aunt Keoriah asked me in her usual gentle tone. Although I could barely hum a song I heard the birds sing daily, let alone form sentences, Aunt Keoriah would often speak to me and sometimes sing to me.

Today was different from other days when I'd lay and stare at Aunt Keoriah's familiar face indifferently. Today I was awaiting my bird-friend. I hadn't seen her for a few days and although I didn't even know what the feeling was, I began growing worried. The nest appeared complete, however there was no sight of my dear bird-friend.

I used some of the strength I had gained over the days to gesture toward the little window. Aunt Keoriahs placed my oatmeal on the short table besides my bed before walking over to the one window.

"Oh, what a surprise, looks like you've got company coming soon!" she exclaimed as she spotted the bird nest. I replied by quirking my eyebrow at her, forming what I now know as a confused face.

"Oh, you don't know do you? Worry not, your birdy will return soon, just have patience for she'll bring you more bird-friends." she said, trying to ease my restless mind. I trusted Aunt Keoriah and patiently stared out the window until finally, late in the afternoon that same day I saw birdy return. 

Finally at ease, I felt I could finally rest. I had drained myself of the small amount of energy I had that day just so I could ensure birdy returned and frankly, I was worrying Aunt Keoriah. That night I slept like a bear in hibernation. The following morning I awoke to the melodious whistles of birds and peaked over to the window to see three off-white eggs peaking out the nest. For the next two weeks birdy occasionally left her nest and there was even another bird that often visited.

Aunt Keoriah took every opportunity to teach me about the eggs and how soon enough they would be just like birdy. Eventually the hatchlings grew and I regained strength and stamina and finally one early morning , as the cherry blossom tree was in full bloom, the last hatchling left its nest and I two was able to leave my nest.

This is the first memory I have after I was born at five. This was my first of many times witnessing birth in nature and after time I began to realize, perhaps my birth was natural? No matter the species they all started small and weak but then grew. But my one question that remains is how was I five in my first year of life? It also seems to be my one question Aunt Keoriah can't answer.

 After those days of birth and growth I began being educated by Aunt Keoriah, not only academically but also practically. At six I learnt addition and subtraction, at seven I learnt the properties of every spice in the kitchen, at eight I learnt how to start a fire and at nine how to pick wild mushrooms. These are just a few things she managed to teach me.

"They say it's often times better to be a master of one than a jack of all trades, master of none. However Sylvana don't listen to what they say because why be either when you can be a master of all trades?" she'd tell before every lesson. In a way, it reminded me of the red-winged rustle. I feel as though her teaching me each of these skills was like the bird building its nest. I guess I'll have to wait and see what the bird brings.

Between the ages of five and ten I created many memories with Aunt Keoriah, animals and the majestic forest I grew up in. Aunt Keoriah's lessons began growing more physically risky as I grew older, but that was the fun in it after all, until one seemingly normal day of risky fun turned to tragedy. After this incident, my life could've never returned to what it used to be.

~~~~~~~~Author's Note~~~~~~~~

Hi everyone! This is my first time writing something so my apologies about any grammatical or spelling errors. This is just the first chapter but I have so many plans for this book! If u have any constructive criticism I'll gladly accept it. Check back next week for updates!