A Winter’s Journey

It was in her first moments of slumber that she found herself wading through knee-deep snow. It was difficult walking, the cold chilled her to the bone. Everything was made stark white by the snowfall that covered the surroundings. She had no idea where she was, there were no trees or anything to note, except a huge, beautiful castle that shimmered on the horizon. The castle resembled a palace made of ice, with spires reaching the sky. The snow continued to fall. There was no sun, only the gray skies of winter. A wrought iron fence and massive gate surrounded the castle giving way to its entrance. The fence and the gate had a mother-of-pearl appearance to it as if it were alabaster frosted by the winter weather. On one side of the gate stood a beautiful white carriage trimmed in gold and precious jewels. A stately pure white horse was harnessed to the carriage, the harness bedecked with jewels and a large white plume rising above the horse’s head. On the other side of the gate was a shiny black carriage with silver trimmings, and a large black horse harnessed to it, with silver buttons outlining the harness, and a black plume waving above the horse’s head. Vida Rose shivered in the cold but continued to walk forward hoping to find warmth in the palatial Castle. As she approached the castle gate, a beautiful woman descended the steps and walked toward her holding a single stem red rose in her hand. It seemed odd that it was snowing outside the castle gate, yet the sun was shining inside the gate. As the lady approached, Vida Rose could see a beauty in her like in no other. The woman had silky smooth skin that seemed bronze in color. Her hair was dark, almost black. It was braided and hung in loops below each ear. Her eyes were chocolate brown, filled with love and compassion. They seemed to open the doors to one’s soul. She donned a white sable fur band about her head, nestled with Holly. She wore a long deep red velvet robe, cloaked with a white sable stole about her shoulders. The beautiful lady opened the gate and stood in the opening. “So, you are Vida Rose!” Her voice was so soft and gentle, giving warmth to Vida as she stood before the woman. She handed the rose to Vida, “This is a reminder of the beauty of creation. As long as you hold onto it you will have a warmth like no other. It will be a constant reminder of hope in your journey.” Her hand touched Vida’s forehead and a warmth immediately went throughout her body. Her hand reminded Vida of her mother’s hand caressing her brow in moments of distress, or fear. “All journeys begin with a decision as to their destination and how to get there,” the lady began. “Your first decision in your journey is to decide whether you want to go in the white coach or in the black coach. A simple decision, but one of great consequence.” Without hesitation Vida Rose responded, “I choose the white carriage, it seems fitting for a princess, and my Papa always called me, ‘Princess’, so I choose the white carriage.” “Remember most of the decisions on your journey will be your decisions, choose wisely, rely on others, and know you are loved,” the lady offered her wisdom as she helped Vida Rose into the majestic white carriage. “Let the journey begin,” the lady commanded in a firm but gentle voice. The horse began a gentle stride, and the carriage began to glide across the snow as if never touching the ground. She had not gone far in her journey when she heard her mother’s voice call her name. She looked around and could not see her mother. A second time her mother’s voice called, “Vida………. Vida Rose.” She still could not locate her mother. On the third cry she opened her eyes from her slumber, as her mother’s hand was gently touching her forehead. “You were in a deep sleep; do you feel okay?” Mary Kathleen inquired. “You feel a bit feverish, perhaps you should stay in bed, and I will bring you some broth. Put on your nightgown, a good night’s rest can’t hurt a bit. We have several days of celebrating Christmas, and you need your rest.” “Mother, I just had the most unusual and beautiful dream,” she began. “I dreamt I was walking through deep snow. The only thing visible was a beautiful castle. It was like it was made of ice but yet the sun was shining, and it didn’t melt. There were two carriages parked on the street by its gates. One was a beautiful white ornate carriage drawn by a huge white horse, the other a black carriage drawn by a big black horse. A beautiful woman dressed in a red velvet robe and white fur cape came to the gate. She gave me a long-stemmed red rose, told me beautiful things and said I had to choose whether to begin my journey in the white carriage or the black carriage. She was so beautiful……………. I was in the carriage and just as it began to move, I heard you call to me three times and suddenly I awakened. I so wanted to see where the carriage would take me.” “Perhaps your dream will continue when you go back to sleep. In the meantime, you must have some chicken broth and tea to break that fever.” Mary Kathleen went downstairs to the kitchen to prepare the broth and hot tea, hoping to ward off any illness that might ruin the Christmas holiday.