Bye Fe(ar)licia
Today we are burying Fear for the third time.
Yes, yes, I know, it’s sad. He was always there for me. At night when I couldn’t sleep, on the way to school, in the middle of presentations. He was always there. The first time I buried him he was still alive. He laughed. He knew he would be back.
The second time I buried him he was weaker. He didn’t laugh. He smiled though, he winked and said “See ya tomorrow”. And he did. I let him stick around for a while. I almost think I missed him. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t miss how cold I felt when he was around. I didn’t miss the unease he brought, I think I missed the fact that he was there. It was like I was never alone. In a sick way, he was kind of a friend.
That is, before Peace walked in. Beautiful isn’t the word. She exudes calm. Tranquility radiates off of her. She is the exact opposite of Fear. I don’t feel cold or shaky or sick when she’s around. I feel safe. I know that I’m gonna be alright. She is really quiet, sometimes I don’t want to let her in because she is so quiet, but I always do. And her quiet is a good quiet. Fear’s quiet was deafening. Fear’s quiet was an earthquake and a hurricane. Peace’s quiet is like a bubble of security during the hurricane. It’s a bunker, but with pillows and music and food.
Peace and Fear were huge enemies. I was hanging with Fear when Peace showed up. I think that’s the only time I have ever seen her mad, but her anger was quiet. It was scarier than anything I have ever witnessed before but I knew I was safe. She walked up to Fear, his legs were trembling and his lip was quivering. He was doing that thing where he tried to make me feel sick, but Peace stepped in front of me and I felt okay. It was like watching a battle between two mages. Fear was sweating and shaking. His eyes bored into my soul, I could feel my stomach getting tight and my skin getting cold. Peace carried herself with such grace, it was like she was cloaked in a soft pink aura of calm. She stepped in front of me and all she said was “Be still”. Fear fell. Dead. No smiles. No laughs. He was gone.
So that is why we’re gathered here today. To bury Fear for the third and last time. He had me wrapped around his finger for too long. He had me used to the cold for too long. It’s over now. Peace is here and I am no longer a slave to Fear.