And then things came full circle.

And then things came full circle, leaving just enough room to create a tiny path where the light hadn't shined before. The path looked the same, felt the same, even smelled the same, but there were places in the light that had been hidden before. This time the path curved even tinier curves, diving into itself in a new way, allowing a deeper and more intricate design. The path weaved and expanded, grew narrow and then wide again, went uphill and then down, and even through a stream. One might have thought that trees had been cut down to allow the sunlight in, but all the trees still lined the mossy hills as they had for as long as the path had been there. Others may have thought that over time, leaves fell and never grew back, creating the tiny cracks that grew into larger cracks that allowed for the darkness to be lifted. But all of the leaves were as thick as ever, not one out of place, not one missing or even torn, but instead piled and overlapping, content on being intertwined. And so the light shined through and the green reflected in the glowing light and the path was illuminated. And though the path began in the same place as it always had, something was still different. Because, as the path curved inward and outward in ways it hadn't before, a shift began to take place. Because the light was shining so brightly and the birds chirped so loudly, and the green from the trees was illuminated with such color, those walking on the path took a little more time to stop and smell the smells, touch the tender flowers, breathe in the crispy, delicious air, the path took a little longer to walk. And on this walk, things began to happen that could not be explained. The radiance, the beauty, the tender touches and gentleness that took place and changed the nature of the path. There was no rush, but instead a feeling of tranquility and lasting trust - a desire to stay a little longer and move in a little closer. A feeling of fear lifting and dissipating, making room for the warmth to settle in. And though, at the end of the path, things did come full circle, the path did not end in the same way that it had once before. In fact, the path did not end at all, but created the beginning of yet another path - one that had always been hidden until now, under the moss and behind the mist, beyond the fog and beside the bark. Out of that same path grew something new. Not created by man or created by God - but created by a light that already knew the way, long before the path had ever been found. And in this light and beauty, in this newness and gentleness, those on the path were guided by love. And in this love, lived the ability to choose.