Everyone deserves to be happy.

I am wearing my long green velvet dress and silver shoes. I wend my way down the stone path past all the sea reeds and make my way to the beach. At each Celtic cross I stop and touch and feel their energy pour into my heart. The air is sweet and damp as I reach the small pier and the boat where the smiling wise man waits to row me over to my island.

He is elderly and grizzled and poorly dressed. He is smiling a beatific smile and doesn't speak although I hear him and I cannot put into words what he says. When we reach my island, he ties the boat and we walk together to the remains of a castle, the solid standing parts contain all manner of my favourite things. Thick, stained glass windows mark the castle walls... they are not fully graced nor seen as the rain and mist have come to cocoon me. Inside the massive castle door I see the warming fireplace and the dogs run to me before returning to their mats near it. The wise man lets me know that all is well. He pulls on a rope with pulleys and around my island the veil comes up. All within are safe and white light floods the entire dome. With a nod to the smiling man, I turn and exit, finding my way to the cottage that I love so very much.

Many roses and many dark grey stones. No wall is needed as I know I am safe, yet there is some time I need separation total. In my cottage I see my key lying on a dark poslished table just inside the door. It's a key I have never needed from the outside. I pick it up, it is also dark grey and it is old, cold and heavy in my palm. What peace this key has given me. For even within the safety of my island, I feel the need to lock the fears outside of this special place. In goes the key. Effortlessly I turn it. The silver slippers come off my feet and I walk toward a small room to my right, breathing deeply. I want desperately to sit and listening to the tall standing clock as it ticks beautifully next to my deep red comfortable chair. But something must be done first.

I enter the small room and turn the gas lanterns so that they are brighter. I pull aside some oak paneling and sit down at a sophisticated wall of IT equipment. it is inconguous, yes, but it has always been there for me. There is one functional yet otherwise unremarkable keyboard and a very large screen in front of me. I sigh with fatigue for I cannot help it. I reach for wine and pour some and sip and then place the large glass down carefully.

"Everyone deserves to be happy". I type and the cursor brings my words, hopes and determination to life. I stroke the "enter" key and sit back knowing that this message has been sent. That is all I need to do and this I know.

The comfort of my deep red chair awaits me. So there it is that I go. I take my wine and sit and eventually close my eyes and listen to the lullaby of the clock. It isn't long before I place the wineglass to one side and pull my white thick blanket over me and rest for who knows how long. My clock I never look at. My clock I listen to as I tell myself that everyone deserves to be happy and this becomes a mantra.

The wise old man is still smiling in the castle. He's sitting on a trestle and the dogs are hearing him no matter that his lips move not.