J – Jasmine

If you are just starting to read this, you might first want to go back to the beginning of this story –  H – Harbinger https://www.hdhstory.net/Storyblog/?p=5019

When last we met, having passed through the rainbow, I found myself on an island, on a beach, covered with pristine white sand, which was bordered with flowers and trees, the color of a rainbow. I had a dream as I fell asleep on the beach about comforting things. On waking up, I examined the flowers behind me and tried to pick one of the scented white flowers. When I touched it, everything disappeared. 

(Part 3 and conclusion of the Harbinger Story)

J – Jasmine

No sooner had everything disappeared than a whole new landscape appeared. This time I was standing in a garden. It was enormous. The garden itself was surrounded by a low stone wall. There was a multicolored gate to let people in, which was open. The garden itself contained countless varieties of flowers, all of different shapes, sizes, and colors. I was standing in front of a floral bush of what I now realized were white jasmine flowers. Their sweet scent was overwhelming. 

As I looked around the garden, I noticed other people. These people, like the flowers, were diverse. They were of different races, genders, shapes, sizes, and handicaps. Not being very social, I just observed them. That was, until one of them walked up to me. 

She was an older woman with snow-white hair. She was a little bent over and steadied herself with a hoe in her hand. 

“Welcome to our garden,” she said. “You’re new here. What brought you here?”

I’m usually uncomfortable in the presence of people I don’t know. Engaging in conversation is definitely not my strong suit. But, for some reason, I felt comfortable talking to this woman. I not only told her my name, but I also explained everything that had happened that day, from the rain, the strange man with the multi-colored jacket, the park, the rainbow, the beach, and my arrival here.

She didn’t look surprised. Her response was, “We are all much alike. When life gets to be too frustrating and fearful, that is usually when the caretaker shows up.”

“And who is this caretaker?” I asked. 

“No one really knows that,” was her reply, “All we know is that he cares for those who need a different outlook on life.” 

“How is it that we get to go to different places like the beach or this garden?”

“It depends,” she said. “For me, it was a forest and a museum, before I landed here. For others, it has been mountains, caves, libraries, and more. I even know a person who went to another planet. It’s wherever you need to be to become the person that you are meant to be. You might want to meet and talk to others.”

“I will.” 

“Are there more places I can go?” I asked. 

“Only if the need is there,” she said. 

“I’m sorry, I forgot to ask you your name.”

She looked me in the eye, and then with a smirk, she said, “Funny you should ask. My name is the same as the bush that you are standing in front of. My name is Jasmine.”

“How long have you been here?”

“For many, many years. When I first came here, this was a very small plot of land. I decided to plant more flowers. My life outside of here was way too much for me. The planting of flowers not only calmed me down but also gave me purpose.”

“Didn’t you ever wish to go back to where you came from?”

She replied, “Why should I? What did that world ever give to me but pain? Here I help those that the caretaker transports. I get to help them understand who they are and how to accept others, no matter what their differences are. Then, if they wish, they are ready to return to their homes.”

“Do any of them stay, as you did?”

“A few,” was her answer, “Some flit off to other caretaker places, some make lasting friendships and travel together, some have told me of other places that they have been to where there are people like me who stayed and became the caretakers of their own domain, and there are those that, when ready, do choose to go back home.”

“Who makes that decision? Is there some sort of time frame to decide?”

“It’s up to you. Each place you visit is determined by what, in your life, needs to be explored and improved. The caretaker is watching all of the time; he determines by your actions and the places you’ve visited when the right time is to make a choice.”

She continued, “Tell me, what have you learned so far?”

I had to think about that for a while. Clearly, there is more to my world than the things that I’ve been focusing on. Life is not just about work and negativity. There is beauty and peace. There are a multitude of people of all different kinds, and looking around at them in this garden, they can co-exist as one. And I told Jasmine as much. 

“I am not alone in my daily strife and being,” I added. “If I can talk to you, I can do so with others.”

Then a voice behind me said, “Then you have learned what you were meant to learn.”

I turned around to find that small man in the multicolored jacket.

“Are you the caretaker?” I asked.

“I am he,” he replied, “I am sometimes referred to as the Harbinger, for it is my task to signal you of life changes necessary for a fruitful existence. So what will it be? Do you wish to continue to travel to seek what you have already found? Or do you wish to remain here and bask among the flowers? Or, would you prefer to take this newfound knowledge and try to reframe yourself, back home in that dreary rainy day that you perceived?”

I needed no time to respond. “I prefer to continue learning who I really am, but in my own time and place. I see the possibilities that you offer, and though they may seem enticing, I look at where I started this day in a different light, and for that, I thank you.” 

I turned to Jasmine and thanked her for her counsel. As I turned back to the Harbinger, there was a shimmer in the air, and I found myself back in the park.

I searched for a while to try to find the Harbinger to thank him again, to no avail. It really wasn’t necessary. I had my own path to follow. 

And, you know what? Rainy days aren’t that bad at all.