Although we are always hovering near and guarding our people, today was a time when we had permission to actually be by his side. Although he would never see us, Joe would be able to feel our comforting presence. We also had to be near to guide his fate. As Guardians, we are privileged to know what is to happen in the life of those we guard. Our guidelines state that we cannot change destiny, but we are allowed to guide our charge’s fate, so that his/her destiny is fulfilled. We know that Joe was destined to become an important person in another’s life- one that would interconnect with others, changing many lives in a multitude of ways. Now was the time to stand by him and guide him in the right direction.
Standing by Joe, we listened as the doctor told him that the pain he felt was called ‘phantom pain’. Placing our hand on his shoulders, we could feel the disbelief rock him to his soul. After lifting the blanket and seeing that his legs were no longer there, we were then able to feel the blackness that quickly enveloped his soul. Our job was to keep that blackness from overwhelming him and keeping him from his destiny.
One of us remained with Joe for every hour of every day until his salvation appeared. When he was discouraged, we would whisper words of remembrance into his soul, lightening the blackness for brief moments. We all knew the danger of allowing that blackness to remain present at all times. Although we had faith that his salvation would arrive on time, we could not help but worry about the damage that would be done by the blackness.
Our unseen presence was able to allow him sleep undisturbed for short spates of time. Shuddering, we watched as he managed to get his gun. Frustrated that we could not intervene, because it was written that this would occur, we prayed for the quick delivery of his salvation. Every day it seemed harder for our whispers to reach his soul- the blackness was deepening. We could see the darkening as he held the gun and rubbed it. Although we are not privileged to know the thoughts of those we guarded, we were able to know Joe’s thoughts by feeling his soul weeping.
Feeling time was running short, we sent an emissary to the Guardian of Ian, the one who would provide Joe’s salvation. In our message, we pled for speed in his arrival as the blackness was overwhelming Joe and we were finding it increasingly hard to reach him. While we waited, we continued to provide Joe what comfort was allowed- providing glimpses of his past to alleviate the blackness for brief moments.
The day came when the blackness overwhelmed him. Watching him pick up the gun, we knelt by his side, whispering memories of happy times. But the blackness had locked the door to our words. Placing our hands on his shoulders, we felt the keening of his soul. Fearing that his destiny would not be fulfilled, that he would cease existing soon, we increased the pressure of our hands, attempting to force some lightness in, only to have him turn away. At that point, we felt another Guardian’s presence- and Ian arrived.
As Joe listened to Ian, we could feel anger, then doubt and disbelief work through the blackness. With a nod of thanks to Ian’s Guardian, we knew Joe’s moment of crisis was over. For when the blackness begins to crack, hope enters quickly to fill the voids and crowds out the hollowness the blackness creates. Joe was back on the path to his destiny. With a sigh mixed of disappointment and elation, we left Joe’s side and returned to our Guardian duties.