1. Two Bodies One Mind
My name is Myra. I am an air nomad and this is my story:
My story begins on a very special occasion: my birthday. I was spending this special day with my brother, Gyatso…
I was sitting at the table, waiting for Gyatso to come join me for tea. Having tea on my birthday. How simple. But I am a very simple person. Too simple, in fact. That is one thing I wish to change about myself.
Gyatso takes a seat at the table, bringing with him two cups of jasmine tea.
"Thank you, Gyatso," I say kindly, while taking a sip of my favorite tea.
"Of course, Myra. And a very happy birthday to you, little sister."
"Little sister," I say sarcastically. I am twenty-one now. I don't think that term should still apply. I was just teasing, but then I became more serious. He stopped laughing.
"You have something you wish to share with me, don't you, Myra?"
"Yes, Gyatso."
"I have something I would like to tell you, as well."
That's one thing I always found to be fascinating about me and my brother. It's like we're two bodies sharing the same mind.
"You first," I urged. His news had to be more cheerful than mine. Most likely, my news will devastate him.
"Well…Myra, I don't know how to put this lightly, so I'll just come right out with it: I'm leaving. I am going to the Southern Air Temple. They need me there. Of course, I would ask you to join me, but I know that would not be best. You have the rest of your life ahead of you and mine is slowly coming to an end."
It is odd that Gyatso and I are siblings, for he will be fifty-three later this year. But I believe our great difference in age makes us appreciate each other even more. Our father died before our mother even knew she was pregnant with her second child. Her pregnancy was completely unexpected. She was very old and no one expected me to survive, except for Gyatso. I believe that it's his faith that kept me alive. I could never repay him enough for that. Sometimes such a simple thing like faith is the most valuable gift.
I was lost deep in thought. My brother, my "little piece of faith", was leaving. Then I remember my news.
"Gyatso, I think that is wonderful news! I know you'll be happy there. And that makes it even easier to tell you what is on my mind. Brother, I am leaving, too. I have lived at this air temple for twenty-one years now. I lived here as a child, but I am no longer a child. I am an adult. And it is time that I start acting like one. Gyatso, I want to see the world! I'm not sure where I will go yet. Everywhere if I can! And I must go alone. This is what is best for me, I just know it."
The same moment I feel a tear rolling down my cheek, I see a tear streaming down Gyatso's, too.
Two bodies. One Mind.
To be continued…