A Hand in the Dark

Beside Me in the Dark, by Susan E. Brooks, Oil on canvas, 30 x 40 inches, $950.

Something that felt magical happened during last night’s dress rehearsal for Jekyl and Hyde at Oldham Co. Arts Center. About halfway through the show, I rushed from the brightly lit green room onto the dark backstage area to prepare for the next musical number. Backstage it was pitch dark, and I knew there were bodies around me and a stairway in front of me, but I was blind. I needed to hurry forward to get into place for the choreographed song we were about to perform. In the dark, an invisible hand reached out and took my hand. That hand—I knew not whose—led me gently and safely to the front of the group into my proper place. Gradually my eyes adjusted, and I was able to enter the stage and perform in the right spot.

In costume with my husband Martin for the musical Jekyl and Hyde at the Oldham County Arts Center.

I found out afterwards that it was my husband who saw me in the dark, his eyes having adjusted already because he entered the stage before I did. But in the moment it felt like a miracle. That moment has left me with a wonderful sensation of being seen, helped, and rescued in my time of need, just for a few seconds until I could manage on my own.

We may all have different beliefs about miracles, but perhaps we could all agree that sometimes the miracle is one person who has had a little more time to adjust to the darkness, leading another person to the light. I’ll not soon forget the feeling of that hand in the dark.