I stand outside with the darkness surrounding me, the moon is in its quarter phase of the waning crescent. I hear the crickets chirping and the neighbor’s dogs barking as I inhale the richness of the earth and the lingering smell of sun kissed flowers now laid to sleep for the night. My whole body is thumping with some unheard beat. Emotions of restlessness, nervousness, and excitement swirl around me with each breath I inhale. Something or someone called me out here tonight and has been beckoning me for months. I tried to resist the pull of the call, but tonight I could not prevent myself from answering. I slowly clear my mind as I release my soul to the night. I felt the wind swirling around me several times before carrying me up over this plane of existence.  My soul yells in glee as it glides in the wind for a few minutes before it slams back into my body with a cry of fury. I draw in a deep breath trying to regain balance within my body.

I open my eyes and a woman is now standing across from me. She has the same likeness as I; with her lengthy black hair, hazel eyes, and high cheekbones.  She wore a long buckskin dress with tiny turquoise beads layering it. My heart ruptured with joy as I realized this was my grandma who passed away before I was born. How I have wished and patiently waited to meet this magical woman who I favored so much. She slowly walked towards me with her arms reaching out to me, she enclosed me in her embrace and held me for several heartbeats.

“I am now you as you are me, my love, my namesake. I have always been here and I will continue to do so. I will walk with you through this life and into your next one. We are one you and I, never to be part.” With these words she faded into the night as my body started to glow brightly.  I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply one more time; lavender engulfed my sinus passages. I smiled as her scent lingered on in my mind long after it drifted away. I have always smelled lavender through out my life, especially during the rough times. I have come to hold lavender dearly. Now more than ever.

I don’t know why my grandma chose to see me tonight. All I know is that I have been blessed and I will continue to be blessed. I look forward to walking with her to my next life, but it can wait. I am not ready to go after all. I can wait to see her again. It is enough to know she is with me now and always. Oh how I love the smell of lavender!  Indeed I do!