We hadn’t seen the sun in almost two weeks. April showers had certainly brought May flowers and I had decided my lunch today would be at the nearby park. I sat on a park bench in the gardens enjoying the sun. The warmth felt heavenly on my skin.
As I drew in a deep breath and the scent of flowers a man about my age sat down on the other end of the bench, set the case he carried on his lap and popped the latches. I was expecting to see an old laptop and my eyes grew wide when he removed the top to reveal an old fashioned typewriter. The kind that still used ribbon, had those disjointed round buttons and went ding every time you reached the end of a line. I wondered where a person bought supplies for something that old.
He didn’t smile or say a word; he ignored me and simply started typing.
His fingers flew across the keyboard and I couldn’t help but wonder what he was writing. As I continued to look around me at the freshness of spring blooming I managed to peek over and see what words were coming out on the paper.
To my dearest, most lovely Breena,
I was startled because that was my name and it wasn’t a very common name. I strained to see more. I was beyond curious now. I wondered who Breena was.
You have been the light of my life for so long. You are beautiful, smart, funny and resilient. I love how much you love your work as a photographer and I adore how you are with your daughter and nieces. Such patience, such love with each of them and they obviously love you back.
I was shocked by this because I was a photographer and I had a daughter and multiple nieces. I loved to see them, even if for short visits. They loved to sit on my lap and always made sure to hug me goodbye. I hated not seeing them more but my work kept me busy.
I looked away and turned my face to the sky closing my eyes. I absorbed the heat of the sun as I listened to the clacking of the keys beside me. I wondered how there could be a Breena that had so much in common with me.
I checked the time on my cell phone. I had about ten minutes before I’d have to leave to head back to work but I was desperate to see what else he was writing.
I stole another glance at the paper that was, by now, hanging three quarters of the way out the top of the typewriter.
You bring such hope to the world with your heart and your photos and you have a deep faith that rarely wavers. When it does, you barely disconnect before you reconnect immediately and that only strengthens your faith. You are a light to everyone who meets you and you bring joy to those who need it.
My eyes started to fill with tears. The remaining words swam in front of my eyes. Suddenly it was becoming very personal to me. I sighed and pulled out a tissue to dab at my eyes. This man was incredibly sweet and I wondered who the lucky Breena was.
“Are you okay Breena?” the man asked.
“Um, excuse me? You know my name?”
He nodded. He pulled the paper out of the typewriter and handed it to me.
My hand shook as I took it from him and I scanned the part that I had already read until I reached the part that I hadn’t been able to read through my tears.
You have much in your future. You are wise, kind and have a big heart. You will go far in life and you will find someone who loves you deeply for who you are and all that you have to offer.
You will love your grandchildren like they are your own and people will appreciate your photography, your eye and the passion you put into your work and those you love.
Continue to be the passionate person that you are. Share that with the world. Keep trying. Keep dancing and keep singing. Open your heart more and trust. It’s your one fault, you don’t trust enough… you think everyone has an ulterior motive. Move away from those people and close yourself down from them until you can move away from them. Move towards someone who will dance with you.
Be happy my dearest. You deserve it and you wear it well.
Your spirit is strong.
I love you.
Michael
I looked at the man sitting next to me. “Michael?”
He nodded. “Yes. Hi Breena, I’m Michael.” He extended his hand.
“But…” I placed my hand in his to shake it. Instead he stood and pulled me towards him. I hesitated.
“I was sent to you,” he told me. “Someone who loves you very much has sent me to you. He seemed to think that we’d be great together.”
I just kept looking at him. He didn’t look familiar but he felt familiar. It was as though I’d known him forever and I wasn’t afraid.
As though he read my mind he smiled. “I think we have met in your dreams.”
I nodded. I still wasn’t sure so I just kept nodding as I tried to search my subconscious to find some memory of him; of his face. I tilted my head.
Michael leaned down and kissed me. It was the gentlest kiss I’d ever received. His lips were soft and he didn’t push. He waited until I started to kiss him back before he deepened it and I felt his tongue press gently against my lips until they parted. Finally I pulled away. “I have to get back to work.”
He shook his head. “No, you don’t. Not for today.”
I again tilted my head. “Who are you?”
“Breena, I am your guardian angel and your soulmate rolled into one. I was sent to you to complete you because it’s time. It’s time for you to not be alone anymore. It’s time for you to stretch your wings and take flight. It’s time for you to reopen your heart to someone who will love you and who will appreciate you and respect you.”
I had tears in my eyes and he reached up and brushed them away with his thumbs.
“Can you trust me?” he asked.
I nodded tentatively. I wanted to. I really wanted to trust him.
Michael pulled me into his arms and from out of nowhere music started to play and we danced there in the park, the sunshine our spotlight and the gentle breeze caressing the flowers that surrounded us.
It was just the beginning. This stranger on a bench would bring changes. Changes I was suddenly excited about.
I rested my head on his shoulder and everything felt right. I felt loved.
