She had finished talking to her friends.  The house was warm and cosy with the candles and the fire.  The feast was prepared as always for the friends that were to come.

They met over the Samhain fire.

Woman and Girl

She picked up her violin, it squeaked as she tried to play it.

"You've not kept it tuned," she said accusingly.

Her eyes were deep and dark--the sort of eyes that had fun and laughter in them.

She jumped the balefire, her head thrown back in laughter, before coming to a halt before her. Her fingers trailed feather light down the side of  the woman's solemn face.

She swallowed, tried to speak, then swallowed again.

A smile lit her eyes. "You love me."

It was a statement, not  a question.

Her voice still in hiding, she managed a small nod.

The woman  reached out her hand and  took her warm fingers in hers. Slowly, they began to dance around the roaring fire.

Their steps matched! The Girl  was overjoyed! It seemed a good omen on a night filled with omens!

In and out around the fire they wove. They created a design of life, death, and re-birth...a tapesty in praise of the Gods.

When they halted before the embers of the dying fire, the girl  bowed low in homage. "I am Yours mother!!"

A breeze ruffled her hair as she waited for an answer. Finally, it came in a whisper. "Yes. I know."

The answer she desired! She stood once again and looked deep into the universe of her eyes. "My soul is Yours, mother!"

The twinkle in Her eyes surprised her. "How can you give me something that has always been mine?" Drawing her into Her warm embrace, she whispered to her heart, "If you have not found me within, do not look without, for I have always been with you."

The first rays of the sun found a silent mother staring into the ashes of a cold fire. The flames had died, but her heart burned still with all that she had found this Samhain night.