The Gift of Yes

 

Today I saw a photo within one of those Facebook memories.

Not just any photo.

It was one of those photos that stands out, has one take pause, and then offer a message, magically captured within the camera’s lens and upon the picture frame.

1000 words? Neigh, this would offer, somehow, so many more … at this moment in time, for this mind of mine, anyway. 

 

Here was a daughter and a mother.

 

On a train.

 

The young one resting her head upon the shoulder of the mother. 

 

Beyond the veil of a simple train ride – a long, tiring one at that – I perceived a storyline, the length measured within lifetimes.   

 

For some reason, I imagined that once upon a time these two souls – presently named “Dawn” and “Samantha” – gave each other the gift of a "yes." At some point, in between what we understand as a life on earth, the two spirits looked upon another and decided they would follow through on playing the role of mother and daughter.  

 

As if, the words would have been: “Shall we be born into form once more? Shall we be family? Shall you be mine, and I be yours?” 

 

As if, the answer would have been “yes.” 

 

Is such a conversation real? Is there a reality of “another side” and the return here again and again? 

 

Who knows?

 

Who knows what takes place beyond this mere measly lower plane of awareness. 

 

What I do know, though, is that on some level we all answer the question of whether to relate with another person with a “yes” … or “no.” It can take place in the most simple way – a first date, a neighborhood game of basketball, a support group meetup, a lifetime of marriage. 

 

It reminds me of the Joni Mitchell song “Secret Place.”  It goes like this:

 

Out of all of the girls that you see
In bleachers and cafe windows
Sitting flirting with someone
Looking to have some fun
Why did you pick me?
For the secret place

 

Think of all the relations that have taken place – for a season, for a lifetime, for a reason – wherein on some very real level, both of you decided to join here in experience. 

 

On whatever level the choice was made, for better or worse, for the sake of lessons and growth, for the grand life experience that relationships can bring … once upon a time we made an agreement.  

 

This is the story that this photo told me today. It’s a sweet one … full of mystery, purpose and beauty. 

 

We are indeed blessed. 

 

Whenever we recognize the gift that is “yes.”