The Trading Bridge (A Slightly Older Fiction Story I Wrote)

 Note About The Piece: "What if grief could become a person and walk alongside you, even help you find closure and healing in your grief?". This was the question I sought to answer when writing this piece.

        Rumors carried and travelled far. Stories of a mystical place that gave an equally unusual experience every time it was encountered. No one was certain of it's origins, only that there was something never to be forgotten that happened there every time it was entered by someone. It was high, long, and the journey was always saturated with a mix of emotions. Remaining in an ever present state, calling to all who needed change it stood. Two points connected and spanned in more than one way. Shrouded in both wonder and power the place invited and terrified all who entered, the unknown always the thing that made the most impact. On each side one would meet then leave, never the same way they arrived, always speechless at first from the encounter, struggling to find the words where a life was always impacted here, on the trading bridge.

          Sometimes it was goods and sometimes it was people, each visitor needing something different that only this strange place could offer. It would happen with a flash of light, changing in the bright and new way that appeared each time followed by a crossing into and an entering. The strange portal that ripped a hole in the once lacking world of these needing visitors was their answer made apparent to them that made it all happen.

         Among the visitors to hear of and journey there was one such family. Living with a hole left in their lives that needed to be mended, and it was in this place where all of that would change for them. It was a loss too soon (or so it felt to them), and the weight upon them was heavy, when they heard about this mysterious place and somehow knew it was what they needed. Yet, among this certainty doubt would seek to erode such faith and the family would wonder if it was possible, would wonder if they could see them again. "Would it change? Be worth attempting in order to heal and be restored from this tremendous loss?", they'd question. Regardless of the doubts they had to try and make the journey, they had to find a way. Traveling for what felt years they came to this far off place. Something was definitely different about the region and the bridge (as everyone present

recalled who returned to tell of their adventure), though this grieving family knew not what, only that it was what was needed by them and they cautiously entered slowly to the heights of one side. Crossing to the middle of the bridge they waited. Standing there in the middle they weren't sure what to think. No one experience by others was ever the same and they were left in the unknown stillness of confusion. They only knew one thing: it took two people, one on each side (something they didn't have). They didn't have goods to trade (and wondered if they needed them), remaining there alone. No one was on the other side for what felt like eternity and nothing happened....at first. After an extended period of seemingly endless waiting everything would change and a surprising figure appeared without a face, met them on the other side, and the portal shone bright. Two were now present.

           The hurt was felt while anticipation grew in them, watching as light began to shine brighter and brighter in their darkness. For a time their world stopped at what they were experiencing and a face was appearing before their very eyes. Coming into view a figure was seen and they knew it was their dearly departed that had since passed away and tears flooded their vision. At the much needed reunion sorrow was driven back by the light and hope upon this otherworldly visitation; here, hope and healing began to enter the tattered lives of this broken family again. Tears continued to flow with each hug and word offered and accepted, with each small conversation had. Here the hole inside was mending and healing and the world was made right for a time. Healing was given in the light, on the bridge, with their loved one now among them.

           What was lost was found again for a time, who was lost was there again, and the loose ends began to tie off and new life entered in. For a time joy was felt with the welcome visit as the time went by. This would soon change however as the portal began to fade slowly, as their once unbreakable faith was shown for how fragile it was. The lost life would be lost again fading into the distance of eternity, missed again as loneliness drew ever closer once more, this time though would be different. The shadowy figure from the other side closed the gap that was appearing in their lives one more time and came and stood among them, joining them in their heartbreak and dwelling with them in the transition. Embracing the gathered family members who were watching their loved one enter the portal and leave, they all remained as one in the sorrow and a new healing was growing (even with the departing of their long passed family member who they'd never see again). Tears flowed at the closing of the portal where light left and legacy was born. Smiles of gratitude were soon seen slightly for the time had, and the shadowy figure of their grief disintegrated into the wind serving the purpose they had arrived for: to help the wounds of grieving lives heal properly.

           In the last glimpse of their loved one a newfound sense of reassurance came over them all that everything would be alright eventually. Even with the reality reemerging that their precious family member was gone again an encouraging wave of endurance and peace was present also. Matters left undone for years were now resolved. Hurts left to time and pain were now swallowed by grace and mercy. The sadness at loss was still present yet it no longer dominated as it once did. Hope mingled with sorrow and gave closure, courage, and healing to the lonely and hurting that day. Grief met them, helped them, and was traded for joy at a closure needed and found, on the trading bridge, where life began again.

Sidenote: If any of the writing on this blog has made a good impact on your life in someway (EVEN if it was something you may have enjoyed reading for a particular reason), please feel free to share this blog with someone else who could be blessed also. Thank you for your support!