"An invisible red
thread connects those destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or
circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle, but never break." -
Ancient Chinese Proverb
For years I didn't believe in soul mates. I never had one. I
never believed there was another girl in this entire world like me. But the
moment Dana and I connected, we were finishing each other’s sentences. Out of
all the hours in a day, we’d pick the exact moments to send emails. We would
find images online to share only to discover the other was saving that same
image with the same plan. The list goes on and on. We seemed more like twins
than new friends.
Dana has been very ill for a long time and she recently
found herself in the hospital hanging on hope for survival. Her communication
to me was very limited as it was too painful to even type. Her jaw was so
swollen she couldn't talk or even eat. Dana’s
father read her my messages and I waited patiently for her father’s updates.
Miles and miles separate us but that invisible thread was
never cut. Somehow our bond grew. Somehow we continued to know about the other
with little contact.
For her birthday, I went online in hopes to find that
perfect image. I wanted something she could hang in her room and at her weakest
moments in her illness, she could remember us and all our future plans. It had
to be extra special. I wanted an image of hope.
The moment I visited Mab
Graves’s site her piece ‘Best Friends’ spoke to me. It was me and Dana. Mab had captured us
perfectly. Tears welled up in my eyes when my husband nodded yes. I believe he
felt it too.
I contacted the artist with my desire to purchase this
limited image. In our communication, I shared with her a brief history of Dana.
Being the darling Mab is, she took the time to find out a little more about
Dana. She visited her blog and she too was touched by this amazing little
lady.
It wasn't long before Mab contacted me. She shared how she
was drawn to Dana and how alike the two of them were. In her discovery
something awoke and to help Dana in her healing, she wanted to do something
special too. Along with ‘Best Friends’ (and a few extra little pieces), Mab
took the time to illustrate Dana and sent it with a special note of healing and
good cheer.
When the pieces arrived, my heart sang. There was so much
love in this gift. I took them to be framed, making them perfect so all Dana
had to do was find the spots on the wall. Those who helped me in the different
shops were drawn to the images and the story. Power was there. Strangers were
touched.
I wish I could have been there when she opened both gifts. I
wish I could have seen her face. I still tear up knowing I felt it when she did
open them. I could feel joy and gratitude hundreds of miles away. It didn't take long before Dana, being so sick, found the energy to contact me.
It is nice to know there are dear souls in this world. While it may seem bleak at times there are
still good people in it. There are people who take the time to reach out and
truly feel the spirit of another. Thank
you, Mab Graves for what you have done for my friend. Thank you for somehow
connecting to mine and Dana’s red thread and drawing ‘Best Friends’. And thank
you Mab for going the extra mile, for extending yourself even further and
painting Dana perfectly. It will forever be a treasured masterpiece. I am one of your biggest fans, not only because
of your amazing talent but because of what you have done. I consider you a
friend. One of the dearest, and so does Dana.
For more information on my dearest friend and her illness,
please visit Dana’s blog. http://shewalkssoftly.com/2013/03/23/the-real-story-of-where-ive-been/
And please visit and support Mab Graves. She makes this world
a little more beautiful in many ways.
