Reflections of shadow

Reflection of Shadow

A Boy and his Shadow are born at the same time.  From the first peak into their new world, the Shadow is by the Boy’s side.  He holds his hand as the nurses tend to him.  He sheds the same tears of confusion.  They huddle together in the cold.  The mother’s cradle brings solace, and her gentle whispers wrap them in warm blankets.

The shadow feels as the boy feels.  Copycats, they play tag and hide and seek.  Occasionally, The Boy believed he was invisible.  He would sneak up, tag the Shadow, and run.  His Shadow was more skilled, though, and always tagged him back.  Sometimes, when the boy wasn’t looking, the shadow would stealthily tag the Boy.  He never ever knew he was always it.

Later in life, a time came when the Boy would try to evade his Shadow.  He hid behind trees and crawled between rocks, but he was unaware that all the Shadows knew each other.  They can move between each other without being detected.

The two did everything together.  They built a bike ramp in the hot sun and flew high, tandem in the sky.  They sat on the hot sidewalk and cried over scraped knees.  They both shook nervously as the corsage was fixed on their prom date’s dress.  The Shadow even danced with the Bride and spoiled the grandchildren.

He held tight when Love Found was Lost.

He loosed his grip when Love Lost was Found.

As Boy matured, he noticed the shadow’s positions were changing.  Shadow had leaned ahead of Boy initially.  Later in life, Shadow walked in step with him.  Now Shadow was lagging, as if distracted by something from before. 

Boy also noted he could not change the position of Shadow.  Bowing and stooping and swaying only made him giggle at Shadow’s playfulness.

One day as they walked to a secret fishing hole, Boy asked Shadow, “Why do you change positions?  In the morning you looked different than you do now in the evening.”

Shadow had been anxious for this day.  Boy was self-aware, analyzing, searching.  

“I have had certain roles for certain seasons,” Shadow replied.  “In the beginning, the sun rose at your back, casting shadows on places not seen - wisdom not yet earned.  You cannot see in the shadows, but I can, as I am one of them.  I go before you, to stand where your footsteps will be.  I am your guide, teaching you to look ahead, even in the dark.

By middle of your season, you’ve grown strong.  You’ve acclimated to the Shadow’s darkness and learned to bring your own sources of light.  I am proud to walk next to you, as your equal.  You are Brave.”

The boy breathed deep through his nose.  “What about the dusk, when the sun sets, as it is now?  You are stretching away from me.”

“As the Sun gathers its final thoughts of the day, your walk is slower, and so is mine.  Your body aged, and our eyes are tired.  Now, in the Fall of our Life, the shadows also grow tired.  Forgive me, my friend, for we lack the time for me to teach you how to see Shadows Past. 

Stop now and turn to me.  I am not just your Shadow. 

Without you, I do not exist.

I am You.  You are Me.

We are One.

This dusk, I lag behind to remind you of where we’ve been.  How far we’ve traveled!  Marvel at the mountains above and rest in the valleys below.  Close your eyes.  Hear the waters ripple as the ravine funnels them through the trees.  Breathe the air and let the musty crispness refresh your spirits.

This is the landscape of your life.  Mountains stood guard, watching you figure out their valleys below.  The canyons are your design, filled with colors, all the colors.  Every stroke is yours.  Made with your paintbrush.

I stay behind and take your stories where you cannot.”

Boy and Shadow turned, as One, and continued their walk.  With each step trudged, Shadow stretched thinner across the foothills.  Boy watched as it softly joined the others, disappearing in the dusk like thinning fog.

Shadow was gone.

Boy squared his shoulders to the narrowing trails ahead, adjusted his hat, and squinted in the sun’s last surge of light…

and followed it until there was no more.       

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