It was an invitation, he said. “Come Home.” I had a choice, he said: "Repent or be excommunicated. Or, well, I mercifully got a third option: leave.
I smiled powerfully inside as I honored him in what I knew he thought was an act of love. What on earth could he possibly mean by "come home" when I had walked through hell to sit on the throne of my own heart?
Then my mind’s eye came alive with a program being activated: a protective golden dome over me was being dissolved as I asked him what was the easiest way to remove my name from the institution. A legion of demons rushing towards me as the protection of the church melted around me.
Again, that inner smile. Demons? My arms are open. You can’t scare me with your illusory nightmares. For I have met face to face with my own demons. I have looked them in the eye, Named them, Loved them, and tamed them.
Yes, my hard won freedom is a danger to your institution and I have nothing to repent of. I willingly take back the name you harvested from me and my innocent parents weeks after I arrived on the planet.
"I’m okay! I’m just moving on and I am so happy!" I said as I joyfully hugged the Weeping bishop.
And I sang and crunched through autumn leaves Safely held in the Freedom Of my Brave, Wild Heart.
