My Two Shadows

I used to have two shadows. They followed me wherever I went. When I moved, they moved. Sometimes they even moved right into me, and I’d have to step back to steady myself.

At home, the shadows would disappear for the most part, on to their own activities. But when we were out and about, they were right there. I could take two steps towards a trash can just to throw something away, and when I turned around, I would just about fall over them. They were like two little ducklings who didn’t know their way around and made sure to stay close to her tail. They feared being left behind, or stolen maybe, even though deep down they knew mama would never let that happen. Their place was next to me.

As they have grown, my shadows have shown up less and less. They venture further away, coming back every so often when they need something.

But every once and a while, one of them will come back and that magnetic force will return. It happens when they are unsure-maybe because we are in a new place or around strange people or because they are worried they will make a wrong step. In that moment, I am back in position as the leader of our pack, and my shadows follow me.

I know someday my shadows will be gone permanently, and they will have their own little shadows to lead. Even though I used to have moments of annoyance when my shadow almost knocked me down, my heart holds them in great love and misses their presence. I will continue to treasure the moments when they show up, even if just for a second.