A New Dawn

Written for https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/category/what-do-you-see/

I was a drifter, moving from one part of the country to the next. Never settling down in one place. Ever since I was born, it was weird, I always felt slightly out of sequence with all other humans on the planet. My brain wired in such a way, I saw connections where nobody else would.

It’s why I left home.

My parents wanted me to conform to having a nine-to-five job, getting married, having children. All I wanted to do was find out who I was. Where did I come from? I was an inquisitive person, always asking questions.

I told my parents, it wasn’t them, it was me, and took my backpack onto the open road. The ship, so familiar, was almost calling me to go home. There was a special link, between me, and the beings inside.

‘So, what have you learnt about humanity?’

It was the first question they asked me, before my body transformed into my true self.

‘It depends, earth is clearly counting down to a time of uncertainty. We are using way too much plastic, not really addressing what we need to do to stop it. Our ice-caps are melting, the sea is rising, but politicians are doing nothing to stop it. Education is needed – at school I learn so many things, and when I got home, I told my parents. Perhaps if we all do one little thing, then we make a change.’

‘Is there hope?’

‘There is always hope, but we need education too. Humans are a curious lot, we just need to give them the information to change things. Those new soap bars, for shampoo, they love those. Cleaning water with special straws, has saved so many lives.’

‘Do you want to go back?’

‘Yes, but this time as a teacher, I want to give hope to the young, so they will spread hope to their families.’

‘Then that is your purpose, even if it doesn’t work, we can change earth’s future.’