Times passed and the world spun on, and the two gods say contentedly in their small corner of the world, watching as the days changed. Their small temple of stone and twig was forgotten as the leaves passed from green to orange then back again. Children no longer left flowers on their stones and travelers no longer took the winding path.
But the world forgot its reverence for the sacred in its progress forward, and the worship of gods took to high halls and mighty structures and the small divinities of the wayside were lost. And one day, progress came to the forgotten field that hand long since lost its boundey with the forest.
The stone and twig temple, created on a whim and filled by chance, was destroyed. The two within no longer knew where to go. For it seemed that this world no longer had a place for gods of first frosts and fallen leaves or everlasting bonds. There was nothing they could do- the world too loud, too fast, too big.
The great temple that had taken their place was vast and beautiful. The gods of these people must surely be great, to merit such grandure. There was no need for them anymore.
But one quiet sunset, they heard the cries. The sounds of a weary soul shattering beyond repair. From within the great temple walls.
The two gods looked to each other, and the single look was all that was needed for them to agree. They entered the mighty temple to find the source of the cries.
A young woman knelt there, at the base of the steps to the grand alter, clutching at her chest as if the try and keep her broken heart together.
The god of the temple had not yet answered her.
“Young girl, why do you greave?”
Startled the woman turned to them, eyes stained with tears. “Who are you?”
The gods shared a sorrowful smile, “Who we were no longer matters. But why do yo cry so?”
The woman wiped her face, though she couldn’t dry her tears, “I have had my heart broken. The ones dearest to me have hurt me beyond repair. I came here to seek comfort. But I know it is in vain, for the god of this place has far greater worries than one like me.”
This grieved the forgotten gods, but there was nothing they could do. They had never had the power to forstall the great calamities of the world.
“We are sorry that the world has broken you so. But we can do nothing, except offer you pot comfort.”
The woman sniffles for a little longer before she rises. Her eyes seem calmer, her being maybe a little less shattered. Or perhaps it was just that she’d managed to collect all the broken pieces together. She gives them a small nod and makes her way outside.
Despairing, the gods follow her, back out to the open air. The woman takes several steps down the paved road before she turns back.
“I know you think it wasn’t much, but thank you for your comfort.”
And then the woman departed. Bereaved the gods returned to their listless existence, mourning more closely each day as it died.
Then one day, they heard the laughter of children and the easy happiness of some parents shouts. Curious as to who could have possibly wandered to their forgotten stones, the gods came out.
An aging woman, laugh lines deep in her face and peace in her eyes stood hand in hand with another woman, equally as radiant in her happiness and joy.
As the gods approached, the two children returned to their mothers and hid at their sides, wide innocent eyes peering up at them.
It was only once they had closed the distance that the gods realized the identity of the woman before them. Gone are the shattered pieces that she’d spilled on the great temple floor, in their place, a breathtaking sculpture of a life well loved and well lived.
“I always hoped you would still be here,” she said with a watery smile. “I wanted to show you my wife and children.”
The gods smiled down upon her, feeling some lightness returning to them as they took in the beautiful scene.
“We are glad that you have found those who deserve to love you.”
She gave them a shy smile, before her face grew serious. She reached into the bad that rested over one shoulder and pulled out a small wooden box, offering it to them.
Surprised, for it had been many long long years since any such offering had been give to them, they took it and learned inside.
Within were a variety of items- a perfectly smooth and round stone, a wishbone shaped twig, a small piece of twine, a braided ribbon, small game pieces, and other tiny relics to the memories within them.
Then she spoke. “These are for you. You said to me that there was nothing you could do but offer me your comfort. And that is what you did. For when I despaired your were there. In Every Humble Beauty that made me smile, in every Unbreable Bond I have made. These items are the answers the my prayers you left for me to find, on a wooded path the day I needed to be lost to find myself, on a beach at sunset with my love holding my hand for the first time, in my child’s hand the first time they laughed, the game pieces that helped heal the divide with my family.
Thank you for your gifts. Because comfort is sometimes the most powerful gift of all.”
Then she smiled and turned as they base her and her family farewell.
Many more years passed. Children began to return to their stones, hiding toys and crafts within the weeds. Lovers came to pledge themselves by moonlight as they rested in the grass. Travelers returned, not to pay head to the grand alter, but to sta d in quiet hontenpmatikn of the boundless field and forest.
Until one day she returned, hair shining like starlight, the lines of a well lived life etched into every pore if her skin, her back strong and proud.
The gods knew that the woman before them had left the mortal world, surrounded by love and family, and were proud to see it.
“You are the god of the Humble Beaties of the Earth and the god of Unbreakable Bonds. Will you join me?”
Curious they turned to her, “Joinyou where?”
She smiled at them. “This world cannot use temples any more. But there are many who would lay offerings at your alter, for you give greater gifts than any other gods.”
“To where you are needed. Those who despair cannot always set foot on the land that bears your temple of stone and twig.”
They looked to the earth that surrounded them and then to the vast horizon that seemed to call for them now.
“Alright, we will go with you.” And then began to head for the horizon, the woman by their side. But then they paused. “But who are you to know this? Who are you to ask gods to leave their temple and make their home upon the winds?”
The woman gazed out at the horizon as she answered, “Because I too am a god. I am the god of mending hearts. Of sleepless nights and hard decisions. The god of leaving to some place new. The god of returning having been made better. The god of chasing horizons, conquering mountains, of finding the winding path while lost in the wood.
I am the god that is there when sorrow becomes to much, but there is a shoulder to lean on, another beautiful sight to make a memory.
I am what happens when someone finds you.”
And together they departed from that place, to go to where they are needed,to all the souls who seek the small beauties and lasting ties and mended futures.
The god who had to be broken to be made. The god who had to die to keep bonds and friendships undying. And the god of beauties that called to a man who asked for nothing but the memory of the passing gifts, and who became the god of Arepo.
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