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©Ann Mason 1999 |
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Doves evoke feelings of peace and serenity. This universally recognised symbol of peace can be a powerful image for peace-builders to utilise in their work. In the following story the image is significant to a small child whose love for her father encases very powerful healing possibilities. This simple story for all ages to enjoy and share together contains many peace-building elements:
Eleanor's Dove Eleanor lay on her hospital bed. Only the clattering beginning in the corridors outside her room gave any indication it was morning. She couldn’t see the sunlight peeping through the blinds in her room or watch the dancing dust articles that stirred in the light beams that crossed her bed. The routine for this particular morning would be the same as for every other she had experienced during these last few weeks. Firstly, the nurses would wash her, brush her hair, and then place her hand at the edge of her plate so she could begin feeding herself. They’d wrap her tiny fingers around a glass and encourage her to drink from it, but often Eleanor would only poor her milk down her front making the nurses angry because she would have to be changed again. But this particular morning promised some hope. Her doctor had promised today he would remove the bandages that had covered and protected her eyes for these past weeks. Today there maybe some chance Eleanor would be able to see again. A tiny tear trickled down her pink cheek. These past weeks were so strange and Eleanor did not understand why she could not see. Her mother had spoken about an accident but Eleanor could not remember the details, or anything about it. All she knew was that she couldn’t see anymore and she was very frightened. The dark had always frightened her. The doctor spoke softly when he was with her, and he didn’t frighten her, but when her mother was near she felt a coldness, something she could not understand. The sound of trolley wheels heralded the arrival of her nurse. “Good morning Elly !” announced the crisply clothed nurse. “Ready for your wash ?” “No !” Eleanor whispered, but she knew she would have it anyway, no matter what she said. As the nurse rolled Eleanor over onto her stomach she began wiping her with a warm soapy sponge and then dried her. “Roll back !” uttered the nurse and Eleanor did as was asked. “Not talking today ?” Eleanor nodded her head. What would she say anyway ? The nurse roughly dragged Eleanor’s nightie over her head and began sliding on a clean one. “Toast is here !” began the nurse speaking abruptly and placed Eleanor’s fingers around a glass. “Try not to spill it today !” Eleanor sighed as the nurse scuffled away. Carefully she drew her glass closer to her face and this time, using her other hand guided the edge to meet her lips. The cool milk soothed her throat as it ran down….fortunately on the inside, where it was supposed to. Gently she placed the glass back on her tray and her fingers found her toast. As she took a bite Eleanor decided she would open her eyes. The tight gauze bandages prevented any light from entering……all she could still see was darkness. She closed her eyes again deciding not to finish her breakfast. Her hand pushed away the plate…and a clanging noise indicated it had landed on the floor, and no doubt a nurse would soon appear, not that Eleanor would be able to see, but she would hear and sense the anger. Eleanor closed her eyes again, and her ears because she didn’t want to hear what was being said. She knew it was now time for more waiting…waiting for her mother to come into the hospital as she did every day. Eleanor had never before experienced “waiting”……and she hated it. Her days had been filled with waiting. She quietly drifted off to sleep. In sleep she could escape and be a little girl who could see. Her dreams were vivid and she loved dreaming. She could see her dog and her father’s smile. They had not come to the hospital to visit. “Daddy’s in Japan !” Eleanor remembered her mother saying. “He’ll see you soon !” Eleanor felt so lonely and so afraid. She wanted her father. She wanted him to hold her and make things better just as he always did, whenever she was hurt or frightened. Eleanor was told to be still by the doctor. She was not allowed out of bed or allowed many visitors. Her friends at school had sent a card, but she could not read it. Her mother had told her about it and relayed the messages that were written. “School !” Eleanor pondered as she tried to remember the faces of her friends and her grumpy teacher. She grimaced. Gently she closed her eyes and drifted off into a very deep sleep. “Elly ! Elly !” whispered a voice, a voice that sounded like her father’s. Eleanor woke, but not completely. “Daddy ! Is that you ?” Her question remained unanswered and she drifted back to the world of dreams. Sometime later she stirred again, this time though she felt a soft fluttering upon her cheeks as if a butterfly had brushed past her. “Daddy !” she whispered again and still there was no answer. As Eleanor wakened later that same morning to the sound of her mother’s familiar footsteps echoing in the corridors, she felt something very strange. Never had she experienced anything like this before and never had anyone told her about such happenings. Eleanor was not afraid. As she woke, opening her eyes, forgetting she was unable to see through the bandages that surrounded her head, she saw a beautiful white bird, a bird with a fanned tail and soft eyes which seemed to be looking straight at her….and it was speaking to her…not with words…but with beautiful pictures. She saw an open paddock with high grasses framed by a brilliant blue sky. This dove and other birds were chirping melodiously as they glided through the skies. It was a peaceful song. Eleanor felt loved…she felt her father’s love. She saw her father, and sensed him near. “Elly ! Are you awake ?” questioned her mother as she grabbed and shook her hand. “Mummy ?” Eleanor asked, confused by the images in her mind. “Yes, it’s me !” Eleanor’s mother was surprised at her daughter’s confusion. Who else would it be ? “Is Daddy here ?” Eleanor hopefully inquired. “No darling ! I’ve told you before ! He’s in Japan and won’t be back until next week !” Eleanor’s mother curtly responded. “Good morning Sunshine ! How’s my best patient today ?” The male voice was disappointingly not her father’s, but belonged to the doctor. Eleanor smiled. She liked this man. He was gentle and spoke reassuringly to her mother. “Well today is the day !” “Yes, doctor…today everything will be back to normal ! I hope !” continued Eleanor’s mother unaware her fears were being sensed by her daughter. “Elly, what do you have to say for yourself ?” thoughtfully inquired the doctor. “Daddy ! I thought my Daddy was here !” Eleanor began but then suddenly stopped as the reality of her mother’s words again were confronted. “No Elly ! Only your mother is here and the nurse will soon be here too, to help me take off your bandages. But firstly, we must close the blinds.” The doctor gently stroked her brow. “We must see if the operation has worked. I want you to be able to see again.“ Eleanor’s mother moved back away from the bed and stood silently, but anxiously in the corner of the room. The nurse, who had washed Eleanor earlier, quietly closed the door behind her and pulled the blinds across shutting out every glimmer of light from the room. Carefully the sticky bandages were eased away from Eleanor’s skin, but uncomfortably pulling the tiny hairs on her face. “Ouch !” Eleanor whimpered as her hands tried to push the doctor’s hands away. “Just a little more now Sunshine !” the doctor pleaded. “Just one more !” Eleanor slowly opened her eyes but could only see the outlines of the bodies who were anxiously waiting for words that would reveal her sight had been returned. “What do you see ?” tentatively inquired the doctor. “I see a beautiful white bird !” Eleanor surprisingly announced. “I see its wings flapping. Oh Mummy, it’s so beautiful !” “Oh God no !” screamed her mother. “No……wait ! Don’t !” interrupted the doctor as he held Eleanor’s hand. “Elly, what else do you see ?” “Oh, I see the light around the window, and……..I see your watch…look the numbers are shiny !” “Yes Elly…you do see !” proclaimed a relieved doctor. “Everything is going to be all right !” “Hello my angel !” a voice was heard as the door to the room opened. “Daddy ! It’s my Daddy !” shouted Eleanor. “I knew you were coming…the beautiful bird told me you were coming to see me.” “Yes………how could I stay away any longer. I just had to be with my angel !” “Mummy …it’s my Daddy !” “Yes darling ! I know ! Thank God you’re here !” Eleanor’s mother smiled as she kissed Eleanor’s cheek. “Now, Sunshine, you’ll have to take it slowly now ! Gradually we’ll let more and more light into the room. Your eyes will have to get used to seeing again.” The doctor left with the nurse leaving Eleanor to hug her father. “Daddy, I saw a beautiful white bird. It told me you were coming…oh Daddy I love you !” “Yes angel ! I love you, and I’m sorry I wasn’t here…but I am now !” “And…..!” interrupted a blissful Eleanor, “I can see now Daddy ! I love you ! I love Mummy ! Will I see the bird again ?” “Oh yes angel !” responded her father. “Whenever you need me !” |
happy
endings