I often wondered why a New Yorker would be called to carry a sword. It’s not as if I saw people carrying them on the subway, or waving them menacingly in Central Park. In fact, that was generally frowned upon.

Chris with a sword

One night, she prayed to the stars in the night sky for guidance. The next day her prayers were answered. In her place was a grown-up, living inside her little girl shell. The grown-up did what grown-ups do. She assessed the situation. She put on her armor and took up her sword. I must be ready to protect myself from all of them for as long as I have to. Even forever.

In 2012, something extraordinary happened. A scene in the BBC television show, Merlin,  set something free that I never knew lived inside me. I saw Prince Arthur unleash his anger at King Uther, the father who had betrayed him. He disarmed his father and held his sword at the king’s neck.

But, in my mind he was fighting my father on my behalf. In that moment he became the one thing I’d desperately needed since I was a little girl—a champion.

The years of living as a victim of sexual abuse came to an end. The unexpressed rage I’d carried since childhood poured out of me and decades of excruciating spinal pain instantly disappeared. It still amazes me that a person can hold that much heartache and grief inside, yet be unaware of its presence.

The release of my anger and pain left a void that was immediately filled with great happiness, a sense of wonder and the peace of feeling connected to all that is good and right in the universe.

Most delightful of all, my little child returned!

A few months after seeing Merlin, I designed a magical sword and took my drawing to a local blacksmith. He brought her to life exactly as I had seen her in my dreams. When she was complete, I had the words ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR HEART etched on the blade.

I named my sword Clarity, in celebration of what was given to me the night I saw the episode of Merlin that changed my life.

For years, I’ve been writing about miracles in my books for animal lovers. Now I know for certain that a person’s life can change—for the better—in an instant.

With love,

Chris