It was twilight when I went back out towards the Lake, to the place where I always sit and listen to the waves. I was waiting for him, just like I always did, waiting for him to come and sit beside me and listen to me, patiently.
He is a good listener, an attentive and gracious sounding board for all my many questions and concerns. He doesn't talk much, just sit quietly beside me and captures my anxiety and grief. But when he does speak, his voice is deep and full, resonating with calmness, goodness and love.
I am missing my father this early evening at the Lake, and I am waiting for my confidant to arrive. One would think me mad if I told them this dear creature of God, this soul that captures my tears like a basin, is not human.
His name is Lionel.
Victoria had advised me to tell him, this great being of the Lake, one whom all brought their troubles to. Tell him flit flit flit she said Tell him and you will feel better flit flit flit Tell him and he will tell your Daddy flit flit and then she flew away.
She was right, of course. So I waited. Lionel arrived as soon as the moon did, being not mindful of time or season. He stayed under cloak of cover, beneath some rocks near the shallow end of the shoreline. I could not see him. But I knew he was there.
Daddy, I began, I miss you. I know that you are in a better place now, away from the pain and away from the sadness your body was feeling all those many years.
Silence. All I heard were the clicking of the crickets.
I know that you miss us as much as we miss you, but there is one who misses you most. Please let her know you are near, and that you are with her always.
The bushes moved in the slight breeze of the summer evening, but no sound came from beneath them.
I stood up and looked up into the night sky, the stars twinkling bright in tandem with the light of the moon. My eyes followed the moonbeams downward back towards the earth, landing on the form of Lionel, sitting on a rock besides my feet.
Lionel was smiling his frog smile, his eyes shiney in the moonlight, his green skin glimmering like diamonds on the water.
I will tell him, he said in his deepest frog voice. A voice full of compassion and love, he gave me a message to give to her as well.
Tell her he is amongst the greenware and between the paint brushes. His essence is in the fires of the kiln and on the dust under her fingertips. His eyes watch her as she paints yet another face, and smiles as she welcomes another into the fold. He remembers and he will not forget, for he is with her always.
Tell her.
I began to cry now as I knew this would cause her both joy and pain, and I didn't want to be the messenger of any of it.
Lionel sat patiently, as he always did. And waited.
It is not time yet he said, finality in his voice. She is all right. Everyone is all right. Now go and make it right for yourself.
With that, Lionel turned and hopped away.
I watched him for as long as I could, as long as my eyes could see the outline of his green skin in the moonlight. I watched until I could see no more, my eyes squinting until they hurt.
Good night, Daddy. We miss you.
