Subj: THE ORACLE -- 9
Date: 6/7/99 6:58:56 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Jody
Nicole was starting to slowly be the passionate creature she used to be. all it semed was needed to bring this out again was time itself. Barnabas and Julia had decided to let time take its course and let the natural course of evtns take place. In fact, it was really no time, before Nicole was smiling, singing, composing music, and reciting poetry all within the confines of her Beloved home. Yes her roots were here . She knew she was a Collins and he destiny was there engrained for her for a lifteim. No one could change that. She was so like Barnabas, emotional and passionate, she finally accepted that she was more like him than Julia. Nicole fought for a long time to be more like Julia and was hard on herself when this wasn't attained. However, she finally accepted her gifts and lived her life with more peace and less fear. Once Nicole accepted herself more completely, she was able to tackle almost any situation more love and courage. She took what she had before with great appreciation and let those strengthen her views with great appreciation of love and life. She had much going for her two loving parents, a heritage and a home at Collinwood, Charles, her brothers, and her love of music. So with these gifts she appreciated life.
Nicole asked Julia to take a walk with her along the beach near Widow's hill. Together, they looked at the beauty of the crashing tides of waves near the shore. The ocean was so beautiful. They stood awhile and looked at the beauty of the clear blue sky and the beauty of the ocean. So simple, but so captivating to one's soul. Before Julia had met Barnabas she had never taken the time to look and rally enjoy the pleasure from such simple things. Barnabas had taught her the enjoyment of nature and what it means to the soul. Julia had never allowed hereself to partake or understand such simple pleasures but hose which enriched the human spirit. But in doing so, it added a whole new dimension of life that Julia had never experienced nor saw the simple beauty that life beholds for us as human beings. Nicole looked at her mother and thought of a poem sh thought was so appropriate by Elizabeth Barretts Browning's "Sonnets from the Portugese" written in 1844
(This poem to Nicole semed to express what Julia had
always felt for Barnabas.)
"AND YET BECAUSE THOU OVERCOMEST SO,
BECAUSE THAT ART MORE NOBLE THAN A KING.
THOU CAST PREVAIL AGAINST MY FEARTS AND FLING
THY PURPLE ROUND ME, TILL MY HEART SHALL GROW
TOO CLOSE AGAINST THINE HEART HENCEFORTH TO KNOW
HOW IT STOOK WHEN ALONE. WHY CONQUERING
MAY PROVE AS LORDLY AND COMPLETE A THING
IN LIFTING UPWARD, AS IN CRUSHING LOW!
AND AS VANQUISHED SOLDIER YIELDS HIS SWORD
TO ONE WHO LIFTS HIM FOR THE BLOODY EARTH.
EVEN SO, BELOVED, I AT LEAST RECORD,
HERE ENDS MY STRIFE IF THOU INVITE ME FORTH,
I RISE ABOVE ABASEMENT AT THE WORD.
MAKE THE LOVE LARGER TO ENLARGE MY OWN WORTH."
Nicole always knew Julia held Barnabas very special and was drawn to him for his passion and love, his ability to express it, and give it back.. Julia had the courage and love but lacked the ability to enjoy life's simple beauty like reciting poetry, listen to music, hear the roaring tides of the ocean. These were things Barnabas had taught and brought to Julia's life. She actually had needed his love more than she really knew. He was able to bring life to her for the first time. Nicole turned at her mother, gave her a big hug and said, "I love you so much, I am glad to have you as my mother," Julia's face was filled was a beam of contentment as she heard those words from her daughter. The two continued walking down the beach enjoying the day's beauty.
to be continued