A girl who never was

There was a girl named Sarah: colored eyes, golden hair, and a red nose. She sat beside a riverbank, as if waiting for someone. At 18 years old, she was waiting for her first love who had left her all alone. Disappointed and hopeless, Sarah prayed to God to bring her love back, but he never returned.

At the age of 12, Sarah had been seaxuly harassed but kept it a secret, fearing that no one would believe her. She had been traumatized since birth due to her parents' infidelity, which made her heartless. Despite this, she remained unafraid of death, yet she held onto hope for something good to happen.

Lost in her melancholic memories, a fish caught Sarah's attention. As she reached out to touch it, another hand unexpectedly appeared beneath hers, accompanied by laughter. She looked up and saw a tall boy with curly hair and brown eyes. He smiled at her and asked if he could join her.

There was a moment of silence, lasting approximately two minutes, before he asked her name. She replied, "Sarah," and he introduced himself as Noah. They started talking and getting to know each other. Noah commented on Sarah's strength and expressed his admiration for her. He kissed her forehead and offered her a flower, revealing that he had been observing her in the same spot for a year. He admitted being afraid that he wasn't good enough for her, but as he was nearing the end of his life, he couldn't bear the thought of not letting her know his feelings.

He urged her to forgive people and move on, emphasizing that she had a healthy life ahead of her with time to spare. Noah didn't want anyone to ruin her beautiful life. Sarah listened intently, tears streaming down her face, which Noah gently wiped away. He said it was late and suggested that she should go home.

Sarah smiled and turned around, but to her surprise, Noah had vanished. The next day, she returned to the same place, not waiting for his love, but rather for the memories of his small acts of kindness and the motivation they had sparked within her. Noah never returned, but Sarah was filled with a newfound positive energy and became a girl who had never existed before.

Years passed, and Sarah's impact continued to grow. Her artwork touched the hearts of people from all walks of life, transcending cultural and societal boundaries. She received invitations to speak at international conferences, sharing her story of resilience and the healing power of art.

During one of her trips abroad, Sarah found herself standing on a stage in front of a captivated audience. As she spoke about her journey, she noticed a familiar face in the crowd—a young woman with tears streaming down her face. After the event, the woman approached Sarah, her voice quivering with emotion.

"I can't believe I'm standing here in front of you," the woman said, her voice filled with gratitude. "Your story gave me the strength to leave an abusive relationship and find my own voice. Your art spoke to me in ways I can't even describe. Thank you."

Moved by the woman's words, Sarah embraced her tightly. It was in moments like these that she realized the profound impact her journey had on others. She understood that her purpose extended beyond her own healing; it was about inspiring and empowering others to find their own paths to recovery.

Sarah's efforts caught the attention of organizations dedicated to supporting survivors of trauma. They approached her with an opportunity to collaborate on a project that would create safe spaces for healing through art. Sarah eagerly accepted the offer, recognizing it as an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of countless individuals.

Together with the organization, Sarah embarked on a journey to establish art therapy programs in communities around the world. She trained local artists and therapists, equipping them with the tools to guide survivors of trauma on their own paths to healing. The programs flourished, providing solace and empowerment to individuals who had felt broken and silenced.

As the years went by, Sarah's work expanded beyond art therapy. She became an advocate for mental health on a global scale, lobbying governments to prioritize mental health care and destigmatize conversations surrounding psychological well-being. Her efforts were recognized and celebrated, earning her prestigious awards and accolades.

Despite her growing success and influence, Sarah remained grounded and humble, never losing sight of her own journey and the struggles she had overcome. She continued to visit the riverbank where she had met Noah, paying homage to the catalyst of her transformation. The memories of their brief encounter were etched into her heart forever.

Sarah often wondered what had happened to Noah, why he had appeared in her life so briefly and then vanished without a trace. She hoped he had found peace and love wherever he may be. In her heart, she carried the belief that their meeting was not a coincidence but a profound moment of destiny, forever shaping the course of her life.

And so, Sarah's story became a legend—a tale of resilience, forgiveness, and the power of small acts of kindness. Her artwork continued to inspire generations, and her advocacy work ignited change on a global scale. But above all, Sarah's greatest legacy was the imprint she left on the lives she touched, reminding them that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope, love, and the capacity for transformation.