The Lighthouse Keeper

I'd like to tell you guys a story.

I know. Another story. There have been lots of those recently, I suppose. Oh well. 

Think about a lighthouse. You know in the top of the lighthouse that area where the person man's the light? Well, he can look out and see everything. He looks out, shining his light. He sees everything. He seas the ocean, all the waves and the foam; he sees the rocks, waves crashing over them, birds landing on them; he sees the sand, coming in and out with the tide, swallowing the feet of innocent beach-walkers; he sees the beach walkers and the children; he sees the dolphins and the fish and the birds and the turtles and shrimp and crabs and reeds and sand spurs and bugs and sea shells. He sees the storm clouds when they're days away, and through the storm he sees the sun, even if no one else can see it. He sees everything. 

A storm comes along. The beach walkers and their children scramble around in fear. The birds squeak and squawk. The critters of the sea bury into the sand and the fish swim all around trying to find somewhere safe. There is general panic everywhere. Except for the man in the lighthouse. He is not afraid. He shines his light and tries to show everyone that the lighthouse is safe and they can stay there. He shines his light and tries to tell them that's going to be okay. But they don't listen. They can't see the light. They're so afraid of the storm above them that they refuse to look up. They keep their eyes downcast. They are afraid. 

Sometimes people do look up. The light hurts and it's overwhelming, and some shrink away, going back to their panic. But some continue to look, and some adjust to the light and follow it to the lighthouse. These brave souls are the ones that find the lighthouse keeper. They are given blankets and dry clothes and hot chocolate with marshmallows to warm themselves.The lighthouse keeper tells them stories. Stories of how long he's tried to get them to find him. Stories of the people that came. Stories of the people that didn't. Even stories of the people who came, and then left.

The people in the lighthouse vow never to leave. They vow to stay forever within the safety of the lighthouse's light; they vow to stay near the keeper of the lighthouse. Some of them keep their promises. But some see the storm clear away outside, but cannot see far enough to see the storm clouds just around the corner.

The people that stay in the lighthouse are safe forever. They love the lighthouse keeper. They never have to worry about the storms or the cold or the fear ever again. They are home.

Let's go home to the lighthouse.