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it's amazing what transpires when two people get past their egos and really communicate - true story!
It was an inconsequential knocking, that snowy Sunday morning, that set into motion a chain of events that encouraged a positive change in the hearts of two disparate lives:
Suddenly alert; my wife observed (stoically silhouetted through an old curtained window) a past polemic antagonist waiting for a response.
Muttering tersely I asked: “is that who I think it is?”
This was a uniquely eccentric person who had redefined personal rejection by adapting dissonant surgical hardness towards anyone who threatened his transcendent character. Because of untold effronteries, there was, between them, an unapproachable gulf that had for years discouraged trust, or the type of open communication that could (very often) clear the hearts fragile soil of rocks and weeds.
The dogged knocking continued.
It appeared now that I would not be able to accomplish what I had set my mind on doing, nor would my beloved wife. It was unfair, and for a moment I felt incensed with the unwanted intrusion. Never once had we considered encroaching upon another’s privacy, and never had we appreciated those that appeared on our doorstep unannounced. An undesirable thing had become manifest and, with no way to circumvent it, I had to either move with the situation or reject it.
Grumbling irritably I prayed: “Please help me with this; I need wisdom and some kind of direction that is best for all.”
At once I was accosted by an intense shaft of LIGHT.
Being similar to an invisible sword; it pierced the bulwarks of my heart and began removing every quondam obstacle that I had allowed to take root there over the years. Rendered somewhat breathless, and now feeling gallingly timid, I began dealing with a host of carking voices palavering within me with erstwhile preconception. And while this war raged back and forth in my spirit, I sensed a stronghold of negative feelings, past heartache, disdain, grief, and repudiation cleaving from my stubborn heart.
“So, I guess we should do this then huh?” my wife sighed as she fluffed her hair. With a modicum of reluctance I agreed.
Words began as a taut trickle between brothers. Eager to unburden themselves from misunderstanding, festering emotion, cankered wounds, smoldering intolerance, and years of disdain; the openness between them began submitting to a higher purpose.
As it unfolded, two inordinately complex personalities became known; both of them with a childlike desire to be loved, understood, and accepted. Together they shared tales of rejection, confusion, acquisition, and unrealized dreams. Soon the conversation had become a flow of words releasing pure water streams over and around the moss laden rocks of years of indifference.
That morning faith sprang to the occasion as reams of sophistry, chunks of unresolved feelings, misunderstanding, broken dreams, anger, jealousy, and envy were extirpated to prepare the soil for new seeds and seasons between contrary souls now willing to repent and begin anew.
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Reader Reviews for
"contrary souls ..."
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| Reviewed by Darkest Angel (Reader) |
3/25/2010 |
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| Man, you really know how to put it, and make it live in the hearts of others. I truly enjoy your ways of writing, and I hope to, some day, give my soul out, just as you. Thanks for this reveal. Excellent--if I may say so, and it mean anything. |
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| Reviewed by Debra Conklin |
10/15/2009 |
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| Before my brother died, my other brother hadn't made peace with him and it's haunted him since. It's good that the two of you have sought it and hopefully found it. |
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| Reviewed by Jo Pelletier |
10/1/2009 |
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| You're writing forces me to look inside myself and wonder...am I guilty of this? I have to acknowledge it to move forward. Thanks, again Richard...it amazes me how you get to the heart of the matter. |
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| Reviewed by Connie Faust |
3/27/2009 |
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What a joy to see two contrary souls re-united. You have crossed a wide chasm of misunderstandings and pain to become brothers again. A rewarding story, and one told in fascinating fashion.
Connie |
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| Reviewed by J AG |
1/18/2009 |
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| To you, dear brother, is the honorable task of guarding the grail for all of us, to hold it as a priest when we, in rabid thirst, yearn to quench the dryness in our souls. We come to you for communion, for forgiveness, for a blessing.... In your words, my dear friend, we find heaven. Thank you. |
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| Reviewed by Georg Mateos |
1/7/2009 |
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You took me on a wild tour inside a mental labyrinth!
Georg
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| Reviewed by Karen Lynn Vidra, The Texas Tornado |
1/7/2009 |
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Very good write, Richard; well done!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :) |
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| Reviewed by Sheila Roy |
1/7/2009 |
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Richard,
You write of something very difficult to do. It is much easier to say "Let bygones be bygones" than it is to plunge in to the act. That first swallow of pride is bitter but vital. I have been there far too often in my short life. I appreciate your feelings about privacy, too. Holding the same belief has caused me a terrible rift in the family. I detest "pop ins". Voicing these feelings was the catalyst for my mother-in-law's attempted suicide, if you can believe it. Of course I'm to blame. One day I will have to get to the point you describe here with her. Or maybe not.... Some things cannot be fixed. Your word choices in this story are superb. Thank you for sharing this account. Love and Hugs,
Sheila |
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| Reviewed by Ann Marquette |
1/6/2009 |
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Ah Blessed healing of hearts. Thank you God.
Thanks for sharing Richard, |
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| Reviewed by Ronald Hull |
1/6/2009 |
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Glad you finally found common ground. We have differences, but my brothers and I are glad to get together when we can. One recently accused me of being too radical, but I opened up to him when he did something that has him in the dog house with his wife that he regrets. No use nagging him about it. Instead I'm trying to help them get back together.
Ron |
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| Reviewed by Debby Rosenberg |
1/6/2009 |
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| fact or fiction? either way I love when that happens |
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