Amor

Flashing Lights

The flashing lights were their signal. It was their symbol, their memento. They would use it to remind each other of their love, of their commitment. Commitment. The one-word people do not believe in anymore. They think it doesn't exist, that it is meaningless. That is because of the lack of trust, ad the lack of loyalty, and the lack of commitment itself. Not for the people who believed in the flashing lights. They still believe in commitment, in finding their true love. These people are still loyal, the few remaining people to be pure, to be full of love.

One of these said people would be the carpenter down the road. His life is simple, taking requests from people, going to town to fix some tables, building houses. He had one love all his life, and she had died long ago. He's never had anyone else since. Now, he lives alone, but he is still kind, still happy. He still believes in the flashing lights. He knows that they are still somewhere, spreading their love and kindness, giving off love and light. With this, he knows that she will be happy, wherever she was. He also knows that she still loves him, as much as he still loved her.

Another one would be the couple who lived by the lake. They may be young and carefree, but the lights have always been their inspiration, have always been their symbol. With it they have struggled, they have carried on. Lots of problems rose against them, but they pursued and defended their love for each other. Throughout everything, they stood still, hand in hand, facing everything together. Now they have been together for a few years, and you would still see them playing by the lake, walking the park, or even skating together during the winter.

There are lots of things that the flashing lights do. They bring people together. They shine their light on the lonely, they show that love is still here. No one really knows what the flashing lights are, just that they exist and they do all these things and more.

If you ask me, I'll tell you I've never seen the flashing lights, but I have always believed in it. I hope for it, I long for it. This world needs more love, more light to be shone on it. This world needs more peace, and I believe those flashing lights would be enough. No, scratch that. Those flashing lights would be the beginning of it all. Once everyone has seen the lights, they will start to believe in love again. In commitment. In loyalty, and in peace.

This morning after I went to interview the couple by the lake, I walked to the forest. It has always been calming, and the feel of being in nature was more than enough to relax and inspire me into writing. I think I saw a deer prance by, and there were birds chirping. Anyway, the light shone through the leaves of the trees, and they looked like they were flashing. Everything looked so beautiful and surreal, I didn't know what to think. Then the birds started singing sweetly, and the rush of the ravine was much more calming and gave me a sense of comfort. I remembered the girl that I've been dating, and I felt a sense of home, of familiarity. I realize that I don't want to lose her. That was enough for me. I believe that the flashing lights were there for me, shining on me. I felt hope, I felt love. I ran out of the forest, my blood pumping.

I wanted to share those feelings. I felt great. I felt the love like there's someone watching over me, loving me. I didn't really understand it, but there's something to it. When I reached the end of the forest, I saw her waiting for me. We've been together for what, a month now? But we weren't really into it. Until now. When I saw her, it's like the whole world stopped. She was the only one I could see. She knew about the flashing lights and my search for them. She knows that I've been interviewing people, asking them about their stories, to better understand it. So I told her what happened.

I took her out that same morning. We went out for lunch, then I took her to watch the new movie that came out. I can tell that we've been closer, and I've never been happier. I decided to share the love. I told the man walking by with roses in his hand that he looked great and he should go for it. I told my neighbor she still had a purpose and that people still cared for her. Lastly, I told the girl that I loved her, that I hoped we could know more about each other, And I looked in the mirror, complimenting myself. You have to love yourself before you learn to love others, I said. Those were maybe the truest words I've ever spoken.

Now it's been a year, and we're still going strong. I've learned to love myself more, and in the process, I fell in love with her. Or more in love, if you know what I mean. I've since seen and witnessed more people falling in love, and in one way or another, believing in the flashing lights. Some call it being hit by Cupid's arrows. Others say it was love at first sight, others say it was destiny. Whatever it really was, those flashing lights have been spreading love, and everything is so peaceful now, that I know that there is hope for tomorrow yet.