We went hiking yesterday in the mountains above Kalk Bay. Beautiful vistas, energetic kids and puffing parents. And then we crawled through the caves and truly, seeing the lights ahead in the darkness was a moment to stop, reflect, to see. There is so much that is hidden in dark places. And so much becomes visible in the darkness - fear, laughter, courage, sadness, wonder, disgust, softness, claustrophobia, loudness. Some people keep moving to get out of the darkness, others try to return the way they came desperate to find the light.
Encouragement. It's a powerful thing to live. To give. To share. It's free. It changes lives. Two little girls made it through those caves to find wonder and bravery hidden inside them.
One went in not wanting to go, saw the beauty of the inside and came out so confident.
The other went in confidently but halfway in, needed to get out desperately. She passed about ten people trying to go back to the entrance before I stopped her, hugged her, held her, showed her where we were and took her backpack. Then we went forward together and found the light was closer than we thought, because the exit was ahead of us.
This is an amazing song. It reminds me of that cave. Who cares if one child panicks? Who cares if one more light goes out, flickers?
I do.
