“Conversion”
Rosymole
“Conversion” is a word I would tend to use in reference to turning metric to imperial, or Pounds Sterling into Euros. It also has its other meaning, the one which means to change your religion or alter your spiritual path. It is certainly not a word I would ever use about myself. I prefer the word “evolution”.
The Chronicles of Narnia have helped me to evolve, to unfold myself.
When I first read them, like any child I revelled in the idea of a secret world, where the animals talked and children could be Kings and Queens. I wished I could escape to that world and spent many fruitless hours opening wardrobe doors and trying on “magic” rings. It was a land that held endless hope and all surrounding love, where you could wander for days but never feel lost, where the adventures were great and the happiness and laughter almost too real.
Eventually though I realised that the Narnia in the books could not be got to and I instead spent my time in play- dashing about pretending to ride of centaurs, and having great battles with giants. I played, read, listened to and watched so much Narnia that it became as an important part of my world as going to school, or breakfast time.
As with many of the joys of childhood these games and daydreams past and I moved on to what I thought to be more adult pass times. In effect, I “did a Susan”. I let my imagination and my love of Narnia and all that it represented to me fade, and for a time I forgot it completely. But then a few years ago I was in need of comfort, something I could use to warm to my heart and restore a little of what was good and hopeful within me. I reached for a book. The oldest most battered, moth eaten, tattered copy of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe I could find. It had a huge golden lion with the shining eyes on the cover. As I read, and re-read it’s yellowing pages I could feel the message of comfort, love and hope from within it slowly coming back to me. Pretty good for a children’s storybook.
From that day the clouds which at that time smothered me totally have been clearing, and I have kept Narnia close to me. The more I read the Chronicles the more I gain from them. The events in that land hold a new importance and a new message for me. All the tales and adventures in that world are helping me to understand one event in our world 2000 years ago.
The story of Aslan and his sacrifice and the experiences of the children hold a new meaning for me.
I can see the malice, vanity, pride anger and jealousy in all the children and creatures of Narnia. But I also see how Aslan forgives them if their hearts are good. I see how He gives them courage to complete the tasks he sets for them, and the hope to carry on when all seems lost. I see all this and I am beginning to understand.
The Chronicles of Narnia has helped me begin my own journey, my own evolution. The path I am taking my first steps on will be long but I am looking ahead with excitement and a little fear in my heart. It is as though I am standing in the Wood Between the Worlds, over a shimmering pool, and I am ready to jump.