I stand there, sorting through my thoughts. I feel her there with me, her quiet intensity filling the room and my soul. It both comforts me and unnerves me. I know she is waiting for me to speak my mind. I take a few more moments before finding my voice. “This really is just the beginning, isn’t it?”

I can picture her nodding her head slightly as her powerful yet soft voice answers me. “Yes, it is. You have quite the journey ahead of you.”

“It’s not going to be easy, is it?”

She pauses before replying. “I doubt it’ll be as bad as you fear. But no, it won’t be easy. You will face many challenges. But you can overcome them each in turn.”

“And I’ll make it okay?”

“Nothing is guaranteed. You know that. Much relies on your choices. But I do think you’ll be fine, yes.”

“And you’ll be with me?”

“The whole way. I don’t abandon those I call on.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to offend.”

At that, she laughs. “I’m not offended. You’re nervous, and that’s understandable.”

“It’d help if I had a better idea where this was all going.”

“No, it wouldn’t.” She says this with firmness. “It’d just make you all that much more anxious and worried. No, we will take it one day at a time. One step at a time.”

“But we will take each step?”

Again, she pauses before replying. “Yes. You made a choice. What comes next are the results of that choice. Even if you were to stop now, there’s no going back.”

“And staying where I am would become unbearable, right?”

“You learn quickly. Besides, would you really want to stop this journey now?”

It’s now my turn to pause before answering. I think about the past few months. I think of all the progress I’ve made and the rewards I’ve reaped because of it. “No. But you already know that.”

“Of course. But it’s good to remind you of it from time to time.”

“I suppose it is. But I’m frightened.”

“Of course you are. I’d be concerned if you weren’t.”

A wry smile crosses my lips. “Because that’d mean I was crazy, right?”

“Something like that, yes. Do you feel better now?”

“I think so.”

“Good. You need your rest now.”

“I think so too. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Sleep well.”

“I will. Goodnight.” And with that, I slip into unconsciousness.