Thomas talked with Grandma and Earl for hours about all kinds of things. One thing he was truly interested in was how many different types of animals there were here. Had the extinct animals come here over the years? What about all the animals from Noah’s Ark? He had so many questions that he wanted answered. He kept his line of questioning to what would be a part of his job for now.
Yet, he wanted to know many other things as well like where was his grandpa? Questions were answered for the most part, but his heart wanted to know it all. He was like a kid in a candy store wanting to sample something from each bin as to taste the flavors down to the last candy drop. At one-point Erma and Barbara joined them on the porch. Barbara showed Thomas pictures she had drawn of the many places she had been while in Paradise. Her illustrations showed many animals and their habitats in full glory. Rainforests, deserts, oceans, lakes, and plains. There was even a mighty Grand Canyon larger than the one in Arizona. It was home to all the animals that had lived there if they wanted it to be. Animals here were not like at home. They were not killed for food. Their hides were not used to make leather bags and shoes. They were precious in every way and revered by all. They were God’s creation just as much as man was. Man was not afraid of them nor they of him. They were companions to live alongside one another to glorify God.
“What animals have you seen that live here that are no longer on Earth?”, Thomas asked the group.
“Once I saw a Dodo bird. It was a rather large bird with little tiny wings.” Erma began.
“I think I have a painting of one.” Barbara added. I painted it right after I saw one while on a walk. I had always heard of them as a child but of course had never seen one in person until I came here.”
Thumbing through her works she pulled out a picture of an odd-looking bird that had quite large legs. Its beak had something like a bulb at the end and was mostly yellow with some black and green.
“How do they get around?” asked Thomas. Can they fly?”
“I’m not sure,” stated Erma. The one I saw was just standing there not doing much. I guess we could ask God to answer your question. He does that if your desire to know comes from your heart. He knows your thoughts and desires inside and out. Did you know he even knows how many hairs are on your head?”
Thomas smiled as he flicked his fingers through his thick mop of hair. He had heard that in Bible class and always wondered how many hairs his Uncle Bryan had. He was bald.
“So, how do we ask God about the Dodo bird?”
“The same as always. Ask him in prayer. We can all pray for the same thing and see if he sends us an answer.” responded Earl. Here let me play a little praise music while we do so. He always loves to hear songs in his praise.
The five family members began to lift their request to the Lord to see how a Dodo bird got around. They prayed for a few minutes and then heard a scratching sound in the dirt in front of the porch. Opening their eyes, the group saw a bird just over three feet tall standing in front of them. It was not a brightly colored bird, mostly browns and grays but had an odd tuft of feathers on his backside that looked like a feather duster used to clean.
“Look Grandma!” Thomas exclaimed. “Is that what I think it is?”
“That’s a Dodo bird! God heard our prayer and answered it! Now let’s watch it for a while to see how it gets around.” she commented.
“I don’t think it can fly. Look how little his wings are. They surely couldn’t work very well!” Erma demised.
Barbara scurried to take out her art supplies to capture the image of this magnificent animal while she had the chance. She pencil sketched an outline then began finding the correct colors from her assortment of paints to complete the painting. “Okay guys help me here. I need to get this right so the next time we want to visit him we can picture him in our own minds to find him.”
Calling out the various colors and how he appeared they worked as a team to capture the essence of the bird. As usual, the Dodo wasn’t afraid of them nor they of him. Picking at seeds on the ground he began to pull up some of the roots from Grandma’s flower and ate them.
“He’s killing your flowers Grandma. I’m sorry!” Thomas was hoping Grandma didn’t mind.
“He’s not killing them dear. Nothing here dies. They will be just fine. Here as on Earth plants are for our nourishment if we choose to eat them. Don’t think twice about it.”
Remembering that he still had the kiwi from the tree in their basket Thomas tossed a piece to the bird who pecked at it with his huge bill and finished it off. Thomas gave him another one as the basket had more appear just as before. Earl seeing the fresh fruit asked for one as he had what he called a hankering for kiwi. Thomas laughed and tossed him one. The fresh fruit did look good. He took one for himself as well.
Just as rich and sweet as a sun ripened fruit could be, he enjoyed every morsel as he watched the Dodo move about slowly on his feet. He had not flown yet, and probably wouldn’t.
“You know I once heard that even on Earth the Dodo was not afraid of people like most. When the sailors came to where they lived, they could catch them quite easily. So, they did. They ate them and thus they became extinct.” Earl spoke and told the truth of the peril of this unusual bird.
Barbara continued to paint as the bird seemed to come to life on paper. How wonderful that her gifting was in this area. When complete the painting looked just like the one in front of them. Holding it up to the bird it looked up and then ran off. Those sturdy legs sure did work!
“Look at it go!” exclaimed Erma. “That thing sure can run!”
“Wow! It’s really fast!” retorted Thomas. Now he knew the answer to his question. Dodos ran to get around. “Barbara can you put a note on the back of your picture that they can run?”
Barbara turned over the painting and wrote in pencil, man can those things run. She then handed it to Thomas asking if he would like the painting for his bedroom. Taking it from her hands he placed it in the light of God to dry. This would make for a wonderful addition to his room with the waterbed.
“How about some pie?” Grandma asked. “Let’s see what we have in the kitchen.” Walking into the house she came back out in no time with all their favorites. Earl had Buckeye pie with chocolate and peanut butter filling. Whipped cream was piled on top. Grandma had rhubarb strawberry pie with meringue. Barbara took her plate with Dutch apple al a mode. Erma had butterscotch, no meringue. For Thomas there was a chocolate cream pie with sprinkles on the whipped cream. Each savored their food as Thomas wondered how in the world Grandma had made all those different pies so fast! But the thought was soon pushed out of his mind as he licked his plate clean. No crumbs left for the birds here. He was in heaven for sure!
In the back of the crowd aunt Erma came forward. Jesus greeted her and they chatted privately as children came forth to talk to Thomas. Thomas enjoyed meeting each one and felt as if he’d known them forever. While standing near them he could sense things about their souls and things most dear to them. One soul revealed that child wanted to work in the gardens with the plants to care for them. Another child was currently helping to welcome people who came to Paradise, teaching them the way of the land. Another was a young man who helped the choir of angels. He was an intern there who one day aspired to be a cantor for God. He would sing his praises often to glorify his name. Thomas was glad that Jesus had appointed him to work with the animals. He thought of all he might see and do. Feeding them, cleaning up after them, bringing them water. That seemed like a lot of work! Was he to work like that in heaven? Wow! He was going to be busy!
“Thomas.” Jesus spoke once again. “Erma will be taking you to where you will study the way of the heavenly animals. She has helped with them for a few years now and can show you all you need to know. Go with her child and I’ll see you again soon. It’s almost my birthday, and many are making plans for the celebration that is to be.”
Thomas thought about Christmas on Earth, His church family always celebrated with joyous music and praise. He wondered if there would be a nativity scene here in Paradise as well. He’d been the child to place the baby Jesus in the manger one year. He was quite honored to be able to do so.
Erma waited for him to finish his thoughts, almost as if she knew he was thinking of his life on Earth. Then she took his hand and walked him a short distance to the side of the park where they had been. Jesus went to play with the other children and the great throne disappeared. It just vanished into thin air!
“Where did the throne go Erma?” Thomas asked.
“It went back to the right hand of his father. It’s there most of the time. The throne is used only for Jesus to sit upon. He’s not in need of it right now, so it went back to its rightful place. Here in Paradise we don’t have a lot of material goods like on Earth. His throne goes to him when he needs it. He’ll be with the children now and in no need to sit until story time later in the day. Come.”
A giant tree filled with a wide variety of fruits stood in front of them. Its size and stature were breathtaking. Thomas studied it and saw fruits from every part of Earth suspended from its limbs. There was kiwi, oranges, peaches, bananas and more! How was it that this tree could grow all the fruits God had created at the beginning of time! Reaching up to the tree Thomas picked a peach. Its soft downy skin was warm to his touch and the peach squished just a little when he bit into it. It was perfectly ripe! The juice ran down his chin and dripped onto his shirt. No spot, no stain appeared, and this surprised Thomas. Back home he would have had to take his shirt to the laundry room and attempted to rinse out the stain. Here there was no such thing.
Erma spoke, “There is no laundry to wash here. That was what I did for a living on Earth. I washed everything that came to the laundry room at the hospital in my hometown for many years. Here there are no hospitals and no laundry. I praise Jesus for that!” She then chuckled and asked Thomas to select a few bananas from the tree to take to some of the animals he would work with. Doing so Thomas picked one at a time and placed them into a basket that appeared in Erma’s right hand. Going back for more he saw that where he had picked just a moment ago was once again filled with a perfectly ripe banana! Trying a little experiment, he picked in the same place more than once. Each time a new banana filled the spot where he had just picked! He giggled and realized that this tree would never run out of fruit! It was like a perpetual sort of machine that kept on refilling more and more fruit! He did the same thing with a few kiwis and was amazed to see more appear in the vacant spot each time!
“This tree as well as others supplies us with our fruits. We never run out. Our faith in God is like that of the sparrows of the field in his word. We want for nothing that he does not provide for us. Our spirits do not need the physical things of Earth but if we long for them they are here to enjoy. Let’s take the basket to the animals now. They love the taste of a good fresh banana.”
Once again, a transparent door came before them. It’d been there next to the tree the whole time! How was it that they just seemed to pop up before them like that?
Erma responded to what Thomas was thinking. “The doors are how we enter where we would like to go. For now, you cannot picture the places in Paradise in your mind because you haven’t visited them before. In time you’ll be able to think of places you want to go, and a door will appear before you. Perhaps at the end of our time with the animals you can try it for yourself.”
Thomas was stunned. How was he going to make a door appear like they do?
“We’ll see if you can remember what your home with Grandma looks like. You’ll simply picture it in your mind and a door will appear. When you go through it you will be home. But, for now, let’s step through this door to see what Jesus has waiting for us today.”
Stepping through the door the pair was greeted by a troop of monkeys. Among them all sizes and shapes of monkeys swung from the trees and ran on the ground. Reaching into the basket Thomas handed some of them a banana. He wondered if he would have enough to feed them all. One by one the monkeys took the bananas and went to eat them. There must have been fifty monkeys total! Thomas looked at Erma thinking that he hadn’t picked near enough for each one. Yet, the bananas in his basket never ran out! When finished with his task he gazed down into the basket to find the same number of bananas he had picked were left in it! How could that be?
Erma began, “Remember the story of the loaves and the fishes from the Bible? A huge crowd had gathered, and Jesus fed them all with more left over?”
“Yes.” Thomas remembered that part of the story very well. But how was that like this?
“Well, in that story Jesus and his disciples had very little food to begin with. Yet, Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes to feed the crowd. It’s that same type of thing here. You need only pick one of whatever you need, and it will multiply to be enough to fill the needs of many.”
Thomas was beginning to understand now why Grandma had said that he could eat as much macaroni and cheese as he wanted because there was more where that came from.
“So, is it the same way with other foods?” Thomas hoped he could multiply his favorite chocolates and ice cream!
“Yes, but the twins will show you that another day. Let’s visit more animals.”
Animals came from near and far to visit with them. They played with them and enjoyed their company there on the grassy fields and forests filled with trees. Birds would fly down from time to time and light on their hands singing to them their sweet songs of joy. Even the peacocks came and stretched out their mighty plumage in celebration of their newest companion.
“Are your chickens and dogs here Erma? Can I see them?” Thomas had loved her dog named Big Tome on Earth. He hoped to play with him some more.
“He is here someplace I’m sure. Animals here are in the realm of God. There are no pets like on Earth. To have a pet on Earth meant that only one person or family was a companion to that animal. Here they belong to God and not man. It’s different. I saw Big Tome when I first came but then he went off to be with his friends. Perhaps if you speak his name, he will come to you. But he may not stay for long. Nobody here has pets. That would be as if we owned him.”
Calling out Big Tome’s name Thomas hoped in his heart he might visit them. With all his soul he wished and wished but nothing happened.
Erma went on, “Perhaps you can try seeing him in your mind’s eye. Remember the love you had for him on Earth and that might work.”
Sitting down in the shade of a tree Thomas tried to remember when he had played with Tome on Earth. He closed his eyes and felt the love of that big dog as he licked his face with that wet tongue of his. When he opened his eyes, Big Tome was in front of him. Tome looked into Thomas’ eyes and there was a connection unlike any before. Memories of he and Tome flooded back into both their minds and for a moment they were connected under the umbrella of God’s love. Playing ball, the two enjoyed a brief time together and then Tome had to go. He was working for Jesus in another part of Paradise and was hoping to get back to his job of placing puppies on Earth in homes. He also had been working on finding homes for lost dogs around the world. Thomas hugged him and said goodbye knowing that he might never see him again. Tome had work to do as well. So, did he. It was time to learn of his work in Paradise.
At once a new door appeared and the duo walked into a room filled with animals of all types. Some were injured, others not. None of them were in pain. But they all seemed to be at a type of entrance facility. Thomas thought back to when he’d come into Paradise. He’d been in a room like this one. Beds were filled with animals sleeping while others were just sitting up and seemed confused. Thomas could see other people of varied ages alongside the animals in the room. He saw them petting them gently and talking to them. Not one of the animals minded them being there so close. Even the meanest of animals on Earth were calm and kind. Thomas noticed a parrot that had a broken wing and was unable to fly. The person next to the bed stroked the wing and pressed a call button. It was then that Jesus appeared. Jesus took the wing in his hand asking his father for a complete healing. At once, the wing was whole again. Jesus lifted the parrot up and it took flight. The people in the room clapped and watched as the parrot flew out into the kingdom to join the others. Then Jesus disappeared.
“Let’s check on this baby rabbit over here Thomas,” stated Erma. He didn’t have anyone helping him yet. Looking over the baby bunny Erma noticed that it was thin and in need of water. “It also needs a good bath. Here, use this cloth to wash the bunny off. It has properties just like its mama had on Earth to clean it as God intended. I’ll then show you how to order what it needs.”
While Thomas washed off the bunny Erma asked God in prayer to show them why this little bunny was here.
“All right now let the bunny rest in your lap while we see what God has to tell us. When he talks, we need to listen closely to what he says.”
Just like in the movie of his life Thomas was now able to see the life of the wee one they were to help. In the film God revealed to Erma and Thomas that the bunny’s mother had been hit by a car. The baby was then found by a little girl who wanted to help it. She took it inside her home and placed it in a basket on a soft cloth. Trying to feed it with an eye dropper the fluids spilled more so on the rabbit than in its mouth. The thoughtful girl tried to feed it lettuce and cut up a carrot for it as well. But the baby bunny could not chew it yet. He needed his mother’s milk. That night while she was asleep an angel came to get the wee bunny and fly it to Paradise. The film ended.
Thomas had been told to help the bunny with the food that it needed. It needed mother’s milk. Wondering how that could happen Thomas looked at Erma for help.
Erma knew what he was about to ask. “We need to ask God where his mother is. She can come and feed him. He’ll know where the mama is at. Let us join in prayer.”
Thomas and Erma prayed to God asking for the baby’s mama to come to his aid. In a moment the mother rabbit came to her child and nestled down next to it. Thomas placed the baby where it could now feed. The baby latched on to drink. After a short time, the mama washed her baby from head to toe. Alongside them other babies appeared, and she did the same to them.
“Where did those babies come from?” Thomas asked Erma.
She told him how they had not been found by the little girl because they had run to hide in a nearby bush when she was hit by the car. They had also died on Earth and had been in heaven with her since then. She had been caring for them and waiting on her other child to arrive.
Once again Thomas could see in his mind what Erma had just described. He saw them run to hide and then perish huddled together in the shade of that bush. He knew he and Erma were the ones to help this family. This was to be his job.
“They’ll be fine now. God will watch over them and they’ll join the others when the wee one is ready. Let’s see who else we can help.”
Walking around the room they could see many animals being assisted. Then they came upon a penguin stuck in its shell. It had perished trying to get it open and was still in there. Erma picked up the egg and turned it round and round.
“This is a special case! I haven’t been able to help many penguins before. Let’s get this little fella out of that shell.”
Handing the egg to Thomas he didn’t know what to do.
“Always pray for guidance and then do as God asks you to. He is there for you as he was on Earth.” Erma explained.
Praying to God Thomas waited on his advice. Then, as before the movie began in his head. It revealed that there were some penguins in Paradise that would know exactly what to do. He was to take the egg to them.
“Erma, God asks that we take the egg to the penguins here in Paradise. They’ll know what to do. How do we find them?” Thomas knew what to do but not how to accomplish what God had asked of them.
“Hold the egg in your hands and cup it ever so gently. Then, picture in your mind a mommy and daddy penguin. We should see a door appear soon. We’ll go through it.” Erma explained.
That seemed too easy. Was that really all he needed to do? Thomas did as ask. He closed his eyes and pictured a mommy and daddy penguin in his head. He had seen those many times while at the zoo. Suddenly, he felt as if he should open his eyes and did so. There was a door! He had done it! Thomas heart raced as he saw what had just occurred!
“Come, Thomas let’s see what God has in store for us on this fine day.”
The pair stepped through the door with Thomas holding the egg in his hands. There in front of them was a vast area filled with penguins diving into the waters and slipping on the ice. How odd that it didn’t feel cold to Thomas at all! He was in fact quite comfortable. Watching the penguins play he soon saw a pair of penguins arrive to greet them. They had been asked by God to help them save this new arrival in Paradise. They were anxious to be parents to this little one and help it grow up with their family.
The penguins made some vocalizations and calls to others to draw near. Thomas watched them as he placed the egg onto the ice. The father rolled the egg up onto his feet between his legs. He was going to keep it warm there to allow the healing to take place.
“Erma, how will we know if the Penguin will be okay?” Thomas felt like all was well but was unsure what to do next. Should he leave the egg and go back to the facility? Should he stay with it for a while?
Erma’s response settled his mind and helped him decide what to do.
“The father penguins know that Jesus will heal the baby in the egg. They will then tend to it and feed it just as God intended. Have faith, Thomas. Do not doubt that God is with this little one we helped today. The penguin will be fine. Ask God to reveal to you what’s to come.”
“How do I do that?”
“Pray child. Always pray. God will show you the good you have done if only you ask.”
Thomas prayed and lifted his request to God. Once again, a movie played in his head showing the little one hatching out and being fed by his parents. He would be fine.
“Trust in the Lord child. He is the father to us all and loves us immensely. Now let’s go see who else we can help.”
Placing into her mind the clinic facility where they had been a door appeared and they returned to find other animals to help, a rhino with no horn, a bee that had been run over by a mower, and an octopus that had been stuck on shore from the tide. Thomas loved helping every beast or bug. He had learned to use prayer to ask God what to do and how to go about doing it. He had much to learn but was wanting to see his grandma and Earl.
“Ready to go home? I am.” Erma asked.
“Yes, I’d like to visit with Earl and Grandma now. Can we come back here another day and help more animals?”
“Of course. You have free will to come as you like.” Erma smiled as she responded. “Now, do you know how to get home?”
“Yes, I think so. So, I picture in my mind our home. Then a door should appear to take me there.”
“Perfect! You picture your home and I will picture mine. Let’s see what happens!”
Both did as Erma had stated and soon two doors were in front of them. Thomas walked through his to find Grandma and Earl on her front porch singing Gospel songs to his guitar. He knew Erma must have stepped through her door and gone home.
“Grandma! I had such an interesting day! I have so much to tell you!” Thomas was excited to be home. He began with what had happened after she had left him that morning and worked his way up to finding them on the porch. What a day he had had! As he spoke Earl strummed his guitar and hummed a little tune. Grandma listened to both intently as the day passed into the next. It had been a wonderful day.
At that moment a light that shone like the sun entered the space in which they sat. Immediately Rey stood and placed his head lower to the ground as if to bow. Thomas turned to look at his Grandma who was now on bended knee in adoration of the great light.
“Come child and we will sit and talk for a while.” The great light spoke as in an instant a man appeared from within the radiance. Reaching out with his hand Thomas knew this man was a place of safety. He could feel a love so pure radiating from his being that he was drawn to him immediately. Taking his hand, he turned to look at Grandma whose smile was as large as he had ever seen.
“Go with him child. I’ll be at the house with Rey and Chippy waiting for you when you are done.” Grandma’s soft words confirmed that he was to go with this man of light, and he realized he’d no fear of this person.
Turning to where he’d come through the transparent door, he and the man walked onto the play area where he’d been previously. The children on the playground squealed with delight and ran to a place under a large shade tree where now appeared a throne fit for a king. The man of light smiled as the children ran to him calling out his name.
“Jesus!” they cried. “Is it story time?”
“Come unto me children and be with me for a while. The story will be later. First, we’ll meet a new member of our holy family. His name is Thomas.”
Jesus sat down onto the grand throne and lifted Thomas onto his lap as the other children stopped what they were doing as to come along beside them. His light grew stronger and radiated into every being that stepped near. Doing a double take Thomas saw something he could not believe! He blinked his eyes to make sure he was seeing what truth was and not of his imagination. He saw sparkling circles above the head of each child. Various colors lit these sparkling circles which radiated Jesus’ light. He had not seen them before his movie; the one that revealed all good ever done in his twelve years on Earth. Touching his head and feeling around above it he wondered if he too had one of these sparkling circles. It was then that Jesus reached over and took Thomas’ crown from his head and placed it at his side.
“Today we celebrate the life of my son, your brother, Thomas.” Jesus stated.
“My son,” thought Thomas. He reflected on Sunday school on Earth when they had taught him about the fact that he had two fathers: one on Earth and one in Heaven. He then realized that this man of light was none other than Jesus! That must have been why in the movie house Rey had bowed and Grandma had kneeled when he entered the room. He had not put two and two together when the children had called out his name. At once he felt the need to jump up off his lap and kneel before him. Jesus seemed to sense this and hugged him ever so close whispering in his ear.
“Thomas, you are my son. I know you want to kneel in my presence but as for now stay here where I can enjoy your company. I have loved you from afar for so long. I just want to be with you.”
Picking up the crown that Thomas had possessed for near a day Jesus held it up for all to see. On it the number of jewels began to increase. Its splendor grew in intensity and color. He spoke to all those gathered as Thomas’ Aunt Erma joined the children who were seated at the back of the crowd. Sitting down amongst them she looked up at Thomas with smiling eyes and listened.
“Thomas, you are one among many. Your love for animals on Earth makes me smile. I love you more than you know as you have loved all your neighbors in need of my warmth. You cared for them. You fed them. You lifted them up in prayer so we here would know of their need. For that and many other things today we crown you Prince Thomas Taylor of Paradise. This crown contains jewels to represent your good deeds done in my name on Earth. You shall wear it proudly, as do we all, on special days of celebration.”
Looking up Thomas could now see the circles above each person’s heads turn into crowns of glory. Some were gold, others silver, some dull, some sparkly. Yet they all had an immense beauty to them. Jesus placed Thomas crown back onto his head and touched his cheek ever so gently.
“Thomas, today you enter Paradise to be with me forever. You will continue to serve the animals you love alongside others with your same passion. They will guide you in the ways of this great kingdom. Here there is no fear, no pain, and no suffering. Animals will be your companions on this great journey and will come alongside you to aid all in time of need. You will be a zookeeper of sorts. This is the easiest way I can describe your task here in Paradise. In time, you will serve my father and I in other ways. But, for now, as an apprentice, the animals will be your companions and you theirs. With God, my father, guiding your every thought you will be one of the great discerners of who will be called to work with my father’s creations on Earth as adults. As you grow in maturity and learn the ways of Paradise you will grow from working directly with the animals into one who will guard over those who love animals on Earth. As my disciple we will talk often and discuss the things of God.”
Thomas listened as tears of joy streamed down his face. He was with Jesus himself. He was to be one of his disciples ordained to serve the animals in his kingdom. He could barely believe what was happening!
Lifting Thomas from his lap he stood the boy in front of him. Jesus faced the boy and touched the crown on his head. “Today is one of celebration! We shall all wear our crowns of glory in honor of our new member! Then, once again tomorrow all shall wear their halos as angels of this realm to glorify their God!” Jesus spoke with passion and love.
“Jesus? Will I too have a halo tomorrow?” Thomas requested.
“Yes, my child. You will have a halo that glistens with the love of my father for all your ways on Earth will shine forth for eternity.”
Thomas knelt as Jesus blessed the crown on his head. He was a prince! The joy of the Lord filled all as new songs filled the skies. A double rainbow appeared in the east as to designate the storms of Thomas life were over. No more rain, no more sorrow, just God’s brilliant light would surround him here on out.
Thomas awoke to the light of day and realized that it must be at least nine o’clock as the birds were quite active and the sky was well lit. Pinching himself on the arm, he felt no pain but did realize that he wasn’t dreaming. This was real! Walking out onto the porch he began to search for the sun in the sky to try to figure out what time it was. There was no clock in his room, and he was wondering what time the movie was being shown. Searching the skies east to west he couldn’t find the sun. Earl saw him from his porch next door and walked over to ask if he needed help with something.
“Earl, I can’t find the sun in the sky. Where is it? It’s not behind the clouds because there aren’t any.” Thomas had learned how to tell time with the sun on a scouting trip with his father.
“There is no sun here child.” Earl told him.
“There has to be a sun or there would be no light.” Thomas knew that much. He was almost a teen!
“Here our light is created by the holy one. He creates all the light that we need. His love shines for his children to see constantly. I know that must be confusing to you right now but in time you’ll grow to understand all things.
“So, his love lights up Paradise all of the time? Doesn’t it ever get dark here?”
Earl smiled as he saw that Thomas was beginning to understand what he was telling him.
“There’s only day here. There’s no darkness of any kind. Light and love fill our days.”
Thomas was a little confused, but he kept it to himself.
At that moment a bird flittered onto the porch and landed on Earl’s shoulder. It had a piece of paper in its beak. Earl took the paper and opened it. He read aloud what it said:
This is a formal invitation for Thomas Taylor to a movie all about his life.
Please come to the theater today following your morning meal.
Popcorn, candy, and beverages will be available.
After having read the note Earl nodded to the bird and said thank you. The bird flew away into the distance. Thomas watched in amazement and could barely process what he was seeing. Birds in the park back home would take food from him but they never brought a note in their beaks!
“How did you do that? His question was stated strongly with a curious tone.
“Oh, that? Martha is a passenger pigeon. We’re quite blessed to have her as our friend. She brings us notes occasionally in trade for your grandma’s peanut butter cookies. We’ll have to let her know to bake some.” Earl turned to walk into the house and Thomas stopped him.
“No, I mean how did you get her to bring it here? How does she know to do that? Thomas was not going to let his question not be answered fully.
“She’s a special kind of bird. Passenger pigeons were originally used in war times on Earth to deliver messages to the troops. They are extinct there now. They live here in Paradise and help us. All animals here are our companions and we help one another with the jobs God asks us to do.”
Thomas was drawn in by the topic of animals and wanted to know more. Earl saw the look on his face.
“I’ll ask God if Erma can help explain about the animals soon. She assists with them all the time. Between she and the twins you will be able to learn all you want.”
With that he walked into grandma’s house.
“Come you need to eat. I’ll cut up some fruits for you and make some juice. You need to get to the movie house soon.”
Thomas ate his fruit and didn’t see Rey come in to consume the peels. He‘d wondered where he and grandma were at. He had so many questions and they just seemed to keep on piling up. He was hoping to get some answers from someone he knew. Thoughts were rampant in his mind as he put down the food without even noticing what was on the plate. It all tasted wonderful!
“Come, we must prepare for your movie adventure this morning. Go get your crown and bring it with you. You’ll want to have it with you. I’m not a part of the film so I’ll not be staying. Grandma is there awaiting your arrival.”
Thomas did as ask and went into his bedroom to retrieve the crown he had placed onto the nightstand beside his bed. He lifted it up and placed it on his head but not before noticing some of the jewels on it. They were amazing! Wondering how they got there he walked out into the kitchen where Earl and Rey awaited his coming. They all turned to walk out the door as a small chipmunk came running into the doorway and jumped up onto Rey’s mane. He nuzzled into the deepest part and then took hold of the hair as if riding a horse.
Earl spoke, “That’s Chippy. He loves to go to the movies to eat the popcorn kernels that Rey leaves behind. Chippy looked up as he was awaiting the short ride to the viewing. Thomas smiled at him and reached down to pet his head. Unsure if he could do such a thing and fearing he would get bitten he slowly placed his hand about three inches away from the small rodent. Chippy let go of the mane and came over raising up slightly and licked the boy’s hand. He was trying to let him know that he loved him, and it was okay to pet him. Thomas looked at the wee animal and reached in ever so slowly and soon realized there was nothing to fear. It was as if the chipmunk wanted him to touch him. Thomas placed his pointer finger onto the back of the chipmunk and felt the dense fur beneath his hand. In an instant Chippy was rolling over onto his back wanting a belly rub. Thomas did as he desired. Rubbing his belly ever so gently Thomas smiled and looked over at Earl. What was this place? Where in the world would a chipmunk feel safe nestled in the mane of a lion? Even more than that how did this chipmunk know about belly rubs? He had never seen such a thing at the zoo back home.
As they began to stroll along the pathway flowers glistened in the light around them. Children played on slides and swings not far away and some even rushed over to introduce themselves. There were children of all ages here just like back home. All were laughing and seemed to love being at the park with one another.
The tender voice of Grandma broke into the silence. “Good morning! I hope you enjoyed your restful night. We most assuredly loved watching you sleep. You’re just like a little angel. It’s time for your movie. Here every person who comes to live in Paradise is shown a movie of their life. It’s a celebration of what was and is yet to come. Come, I see Rey and Chippy are already headed in to get their popcorn. Movies come but occasionally for our immediate family. They haven’t been to one in a while and are anxious to get started! Thank you, Earl, for helping Thomas find where I was at. I’m sure you want to get back to your music. I’m anxious to hear your new song when it’s complete.”
Earl said his goodbyes and walked back from where they had come. Thomas watched as he walked away and then turned back to continue his adventure.
All at once one of those clear doors appeared and they all walked through into a type of temple. It was like he had viewed on history shows on television with his parents. Hieroglyphics and all kinds of ancient writings appeared on the walls. Where had this great building come from? He hadn’t seen it on the walk. It simply seemed to appear out of nowhere. Then before his eyes appeared the grandest concession stand, he’d ever seen. Rey had already gotten popcorn and a lady was carrying it into the theater to place it next to where he and Chippy would sit. Thomas looked up and saw everything he could imagine. He eyed his favorite chocolate candy and asked Grandma if he could have one.
“Of course, you can. This is your special day. Do you see anything else you would like?”
Then like magic his order was ready. The lady behind the counter handed it to him and smiled. How had she known what he wanted? He looked at the tray filled with all his favorites. He smiled and thanked the lady as Grandma asked for some old-fashioned circus peanuts; the kind she and grandpa always liked.
“Do you have any questions before we go inside?”
Thomas thought how they had said that the movie was about his life. He’d not always been a good boy but had asked for forgiveness when at church for his wrongdoings. He hoped that grandma wouldn’t be able to see those bad things about him.
“No, I really don’t know what to ask. Everything here is so different, and I’ve never been the star in a movie before. Just home movies my mom and dad made.” He wasn’t sure what to expect.
Walking into the room he saw no screen, no place for a camera or projector. How could this place be a movie theater? There were walls around them but no roof! It didn’t make sense! Sitting down next to Grandma, Thomas laughed as he saw Rey and Chippy licking butter from their paws and jokingly smearing it on one another. Rey roared with laughter while Chippy squealed with joy. They loved one another’s company and that was quite apparent to all. Reaching up Thomas could feel the crown still atop his head. He didn’t know why it was a part of this day, but he didn’t question it. Returning his hands to his lap he looked around the room trying to find speakers or something typical. There was just a glass dome above them and the four walls all around. How was he going to be able to see the movie in all this light? This movie house was surely odd. He couldn’t wait to see what happened next.
Grandma reached over and took Thomas’ hand in hers. She smiled at him and then nodded her head in a certain fashion. Then the film began. It wasn’t on a screen or even out where others could see it. It was in his own mind! It was like a dream in his head that only he and Grandma could share with one another. It began the day he was born. He could see the love of his parents as he was held for the first time. He saw Grandma there as well. He could feel her immense love for him as she swooned over the wee tuft of hair on his head and counted his fingers and toes. It was amazing to see such a thing! He could even smell the scents in the room with his mind’s eye. There was a medicinal smell along with the perfumed scent of baby lotion as his father massaged it into his feet and legs. As he watched Grandma would comment aloud things like I remember that or that is one of my favorite memories of you. Time passed in the film documenting his relationships with all the people that he had loved or loved him. He even saw people at church in prayer. He could feel their kind hearts as they prayed for him when he had the flu. He saw his baseball coach teaching him and his neighbor giving him candy at trick-or-treat. He also saw himself on bended knee by his bedside saying his goodnight prayers asking God to protect his family. Munching on his candy he began to realize that there was nothing bad about his life in the film. He’d done some bad things! He remembered having punched Harry on the playground when he stole his favorite basketball. Then there was the time that he’d said mean things to his father when he’d disciplined him for taking money from their change jar. Why weren’t those things a part of his movie? The realization that only the moments of joy and pure love were in the film was awesome! Wow! It was as if he had never done anything wrong! But he had! Why weren’t those things in the film? In an instant the film switched over to showing him in church praying. Over and over he heard himself ask God to forgive him. A page from a huge book appeared in his mind. It had words that told of those not so good moments and then the screen split. On one side he still saw the words and on the other side him praying asking God to forgive him. Then a being of light tapped a big delete button that popped up in the middle and all the words about his being bad were gone! He wondered how that had happened and tried to rekindle those words in his mind. He couldn’t. Trying once more he had the same result. Where did those bad things go? Why were they no longer a part of that book?
“Your sins were washed away when you asked God to forgive you. They aren’t there anymore. That thought will be the only one you will see as a reminder of what Jesus did for you. With Jesus in your heart, you asked him, and he forgave. Your sins died with him on the cross even before you were born.” Grandma’s words made sense. He’d been taught in Bible study that Jesus had died for our sins. He really did wash them away as they had foretold.
Thomas looked at her and smiled. She too had taught him that on Earth when they were playing Uno. She would tell him Bible stories and teach him about God. That must be why she was the one sitting with him now. Rey and Chippy looked up from their popcorn bowl and winked at Thomas. The movie in his mind began again. This time he saw his relationships with not people, but animals. He saw the day that he was at recess and the other boys had surrounded a chipmunk and were hitting him with the end of their baseball bats. He was reminded that he had felt sorry for the chipmunk and ran to get his teacher. The memory of that day poured into his soul as he saw once more, he and the teacher going inside to fetch a small trashcan and a screen they had used in science class to sort soil and rocks. Walking back out to the play area the two had gone over to help the little chipmunk. He watched as the teacher ever so gently scooped up the wee animal with the end of a dustpan on a handle and placed him into the trashcan. She then covered the can with the screen and asked Thomas to walk with her. After letting the other teachers know they would be back in a short time they took the can toward the pine tree row behind the football field. There she turned the can onto its side and let the chipmunk slide out onto the needle laden floor of the woods. The chipmunk lay there for a bit and did not move. Thomas feared that the boys had killed him. He could taste the saltiness of his tears and smell the aroma of the pine needles as the memory continued. In his mind, he looked at his teacher who was there with him and noticed she seemed to be praying for the little chipmunk. He followed in kind. After a few minutes the chipmunk’s eyes opened and he began to move a bit. Thomas watched the animal seemed to be getting better moment by moment. Then, all at once the chipmunk got up and walked to the base of a nearby tree. Looking up he started to climb to the nearest branch above. While sitting there catching its breath the teacher told Thomas he was in God’s hands now. He should be fine. Thomas reflected on that moment in time as Chippy jumped onto Thomas lap and licked his hand. Was Chippy that same chipmunk that he had help save so long ago? Chippy looked straight into the eyes of that young boy and Thomas knew he was. Even if he had lived through that horrible ordeal it had been some years ago. He was in the third grade when it happened. Pondering on the moment for a bit his mind filled with other memories of him praying for other animals. Ones that had been injured by cars, ones that had fallen from their nests, even ones at the zoo. He had always loved going to the zoo! “
“The zoo! Oh my! Is Rey the lion that I’d visited so often! I loved that lion!” he wondered.
Now, the film reviewed the moments with he and Rey. He saw when the two locked eyes and Thomas revisited talking to the feline behind the glass wall in the African section! On Earth, he had cried when he had heard on the news that his great friend had passed from old age. He had always wondered where he had gone and if they would ever see one another again! He was here! Rey purred and gazed into his eyes. They had been friends even on Earth and now he was here with him as Thomas had prayed for. God had answered his prayers!
Upon awakening Thomas looked up and noticed he was in a building with a domed roof. It was clear and not like anything he had ever seen before. The sky was visible through the dome and the light was much more versatile, more vibrant than he had ever seen. He wondered if he had awakened amid a rainbow fit for a King. The sparkling firmament seemed to go on forever as if the sky had no end. Birds flitted above the dome and their colors were like none he had ever witnessed. He sat up and stretched his arms then looked to his side beyond the clear glass wall of the dome. It was like he was the guest of some supernatural zoo of some type. He’d been to a zoo many times where he’d ridden a train and was able to see all types of animals. But here it was different. All breeds of animals were together. They weren’t separated out like he’d remembered on Earth. He watched as a wolf lay with a lamb as nearby an ostrich outstretched its wings to welcome a little sparrow in under. They didn’t fear the other nor did the larger of the two attack the little ones.
“How odd.” Thomas spoke aloud these words as he contemplated what was happening. Was he in a dream? Had he traveled through some worm hole into another dimension?
A voice broke the silence, “You’re awake Prince Thomas. Glad to see you are up and about. You’ve been on quite an adventure.”
Looking up Thomas could see the angel that had brought him to this unusual place.
“Where am I?” Thomas asked.
“You are in a place that will be your home for all of eternity. You are in what some would call Paradise.” Her words were soft and kind. More filled with love than Thomas had ever felt before. “Come walk with me.”
Thomas stood at his bedside and saw the angel extend her hand to him. He grasped it and felt a surge of warmth fill his body. Not like the warmth of heat but more like the warmth of a type of bond that only came with true love. The love he had felt with his mother.
“Is my mother here? Did she fly here with an angel like me?” The warmth of the angels love had reminded him of his mother, and he needed to know!”
“Not quite yet, she will join us in time.”
Thomas felt no sadness, no pain, just the love of one whose mother was dear to him. He walked on through the domed building and realized that he was surrounded by other children, even babies, in the arms of angels. He watched as some were being touched by a man with a beard. He seemed to be touching them where they had sores or broken bones. At times he even touched them near their heart and seemed to weep as he did so.
“What’s that man doing? he requested.
“He’s laying his hands on them to heal their wounds from their life on Earth.”
“Why’s he doing that?”
“His father asks that he touch the souls of everyone who comes to Paradise. He heals them of all pain and suffering that they experienced on Earth. He has the love of a father for every person who comes here to reside. Come we have much to see.”
Thomas held the hand of the angel as they walked through the domed building toward a door. It was a door like none other as it seemed to just appear out of nowhere. There were no locks to keep him in or out. No handle on which to lay a hand to turn the knob, just air separated him from the out of doors garden into which they ventured. The garden was filled with flowers and trees from every nation on Earth. Thomas saw palm trees alongside deciduous trees like maples and oak. In the distance mountains rose to make a most wondrous site to behold. In the valley there was a small lake where fish were jumping up and down synchronized to the music all about them. It was as if they were doing some sort of dance to welcome him to this new land. He felt like this place was familiar for some reason. He could not place why. He walked further while looking down just beyond his feet where he could see insects playing in the lush grass alongside what seemed to be their homes. Birds that were there did not bother the bugs. They were alongside one another but not one bird ate them like he had witnessed so many times on Earth.
“Thomas, I want you to meet some people who have been waiting to see you. Some have waited many years. Others a short time.” The angel was gently asking him to pay attention to what she needed to reveal to him.
Looking up he saw a semi-circle of six people standing with smiles on their faces. He recognized one of them. She was his grandma. He remembered her as the one who had always played Uno with him when he was preschool and elementary aged. He had always loved going to her house to visit with she and grandpa. She would cook for he and his family. She made the best macaroni and cheese of anyone ever. She had never made the box kind but had made it from scratch. Her secret ingredient she had told him was love.
The angel now let go of his hand and told him to go to them. She smiled, then flew away.
“Thomas!” His grandma ran to him as she flung her arms open wide. He was surprised for when he had visited her on Earth she walked with a cane and was stooped over with a bad back.
“Grandma?” Thomas felt her love once again as they embraced and stayed like that for a while. Her hair softened from the gray he had always known into a brownish blonde that he had never witnessed before. Her wrinkled eyes slowly turned to ones of a youthful woman in love. They seemed to sparkle. He stepped back and looked at her again. Her appearance had changed since they embraced. She was now a young woman in her prime.
Once again, he asked what he needed to know. “Grandma, Grandma Taylor?”
“Yes, it’s me Thomas. I am the grandma that you remember. The one with whom you played Uno and ate macaroni and cheese.”
Thomas gasped as she had never looked that way before.
“But you’re so young and full of energy!”
“Yes, child. All who enter Paradise are touched by God and made whole again. When I died of cancer years ago on Earth, I was an old woman. But here I am young and well. No more cancer, no more creaky old bones.” Her voice had that twinge of laughter he had cherished so. “I only looked the way I did at first so you could recognize me and not be afraid. Now I can be the woman I am here in Paradise once again.”
They embraced again then Grandma Taylor had a request. “Thomas, I would like you to meet my brother. You have never met him before, but he knows all about you. He has been one who has prayed for you all the days of your life. He has always wanted to meet you in person. This is Earl.”
Looking to her left Thomas saw a tall man with a muscular stature. He was wearing a leather jacket like he had seen in the old movies his mom loved to watch. The films were most often in black and white. Earl’s jacket was just like the ones he had seen. His blue jeans and penny loafers rounded out his outfit as one who had lived in the fifties. Thomas had dressed like that once for a Sadie Hawkins dance at school. The only thing that didn’t fit in with his outfit was the crown on his head. It was covered in jewels of every color that glistened in the light.
“Are you a prince?” Thomas asked.
“I am and so are you. We’re living in the houses that the King and his father have prepared for us. So as ones who live in a kingdom, we are princes.” replied Earl.
Thinking back to just after he had awakened from what he thought was a dream he remembered that the angel had called him Prince Thomas. Reaching up and placing his hand on top of his head he felt something cold and hard. He had never noticed it there as it must have been light as a feather. Grabbing hold of it he brought it down in front of his face to get a look see.
“Wow! I have one too! How did I get that? “he questioned.
Earl chuckled, “He did the same thing as when I found mine. I screamed with delight! Boy, you have much to learn. I remember those days well! I mean when I first came here, I was so confused about many things. You have much to learn!”
Grandma continued, “Here let me introduce you to the other folks in line waiting to meet you today. This is our sister Erma. I think you met her once at her house.”
“Oh yes! I remember. You’re the lady that has all the animals! You have cats, dogs, goats, chickens and even a peacock! Are they here?” The excitement of getting to play with them filled his thoughts as his head raced with the good memories of the visit.
“Yes, I had all of those animals and still do. When you come to visit me, I will introduce you to all of them. You can play with them if you like!” Erma’s smile grew as she spoke. He had the love of animals and she could see it in his face. They would get along just fine.
Another lady spoke as to introduce herself, “Thomas, I’m your great aunt Barbara. I know that you love to paint. I’ve seen your work. You’re very talented. I love to paint as well. One day we’ll get together in my studio and we can work on paintings together if you like.”
“That sounds fun! I would like that!” Thomas was glad somebody had art supplies that he could use.
The final two people walked up and the shorter one spoke as to introduce them.
“We’re your cousins. We are twins of your Aunt Pauline. We lived on Earth for a short time and grew up here in heaven. We live with Barbara now because our mom is still on Earth. We would love to get to know you more during your stay here. We can show you all of the places that the children love if you like.”
Thomas nodded as he thought about what they had just said, “They had grown up there.”
Grandma seeing his being deep in thought took his hand and began to walk. As the line of people began to follow Grandma they continued talking as they went.
“Where will I live Grandma?” Thomas was wondering where he might sleep as his eyes were growing heavy and he wanted to lie down. This whole adventure had been quite exhausting.
“You’ll live with me for a while Thomas and then we’ll see.” She kept a steady pace as she held his hand and stopped occasionally to hug him. She always had loved to hug.
Walking on the group passed other homes all different from the one before. On Earth Thomas had heard his father call some allotments cracker box houses because they all looked the same, but not here. One house was tall, another short. One with colors that glowed and sparkled. Others were of muted colors and quite plain.
“Where is your house, Grandma?” Thomas asked.
“It’s over the hill near the river of living waters. The river is as bright as a crystal and flows from the throne of God. We’re almost there.”
Thomas looked into his grandma’s eyes. He was amazed at how she so easily walked the distance from where they had met to her home. He smiled knowing that she didn’t ache anymore. It was nice to see her not in pain.
“This is my home.” Earl stated. I live right next door. Your grandma and I are very close and asked God if we could live next to one another in Paradise.
Thomas saw that his house was one adorned with things related to music. On his front porch was an easy chair with a guitar nestled in the seat. Next to it was a banjo near a machine of some sort. Earl walked onto the porch and said his goodbyes. He told his sister that he might be over later to chat some more. With that Grandma stepped forward onto the flower laden yard of her own. Saying her goodbyes to Barbara and the twins she knelt beside Thomas to speak to him at his level.
“Thomas, you’re loved more than you’ve ever known. Here you’ll feel a love greater than anything you have ever experienced. There is no pain, no sadness. I’m glad you’re here with me.” Rising she once again took his hand and led him onto the porch. Just like her brother Earl’s home there was an easy chair with a cushion but instead of a guitar there was needlework awaiting to be finished. Next to it was a chair for a child with a blanket of many colors. Thomas leaned over to pick it up and rubbed the soft downy fabric against his skin. It was just like his favorite blanket at home. Yet, this one sparkled as he touched it as of it knew it was meant for him. He sighed and asked if he could carry it inside with them.
“It’s yours to do with as you please. Take it inside if you like.”
The smells of the kitchen wafted out onto the porch and made Thomas stomach tingle. It wasn’t an ache of hunger but rather as if his stomach was rejoicing over the scents of the food awaiting. Once inside the boy could see all his favorite foods that his grandma had placed for him on the table. He sat down and began to eat as much as he could. His taste buds seemed to enjoy every bite more so than ever. He had never tasted anything so marvelous. His grandma had become a much better cook in this place they called Paradise!
“Eat all you like. There’s more where that came from.” Grandma had always wanted him to eat as much as he liked at her house and then brought out more. That hadn’t changed. Grandma watched as he had his fill and then asked if he would like to see his room.
“Aren’t you going to eat? You didn’t eat yet.” Thomas was concerned.
“I’m fine. Here we don’t eat food as much as we used to. Our lives are filled with other things. Now, let’s go check out your bedroom as your eyes have looked tired since we met earlier today.”
Walking across the house they entered a room fit for a prince. The bed was one he’d always dreamed of. He’d seen water beds in the movies but had never lay on one. He jumped onto the bed and made it swash around and create waves that seemed to rise and fall on his command. The pillows and blankets were just like in his bedroom at home complete with his stuffy named Zillow. As grandma helped him change into his pajamas a sound was heard at the door. A lion with a soft purr entered the room and walked to stand beside them.
“This is Rey. He comes to visit me from time to time. He must have smelled the food from dinner. He loves macaroni and cheese just like you,” Grandma explained.
Thomas’ eyes grew wide as he watched the lion purr and rub against his grandmas’ side. Reaching down she rubbed behind his ears and then led him into the kitchen. Thomas followed. Rey jumped up onto the chair where Thomas had just sat and waited for his treat. He was like a big kitten awaiting to play with a ball of string. Excited, yet calm in nature, Rey watched as she dished up some of the delicacy and placed it onto the table. Then with a soft muzzle he dove in and consumed it all ending with a lick of the residuals.
“He always eats everything. I like a man with an appetite!” Grandma laughed that hearty laugh of hers and rubbed the lion’s back up and down. As she did so Thomas began to feel weary. The three of them went into the bedroom and Thomas climbed up under the covers. The warmth of the bed was perfect as was everything about this day.
“When you awake, we’ll go to the movies.”
“The movies? Can we see the one about the kid that does karate? I like that one.”
“No, child. This is a special movie meant just for you. I’ll go with you. Rey can come if you like. He always wants popcorn with butter but no salt. He’s not crazy about salt.”
Thomas’ eyes grew heavy as he dozed off in this new place. He wondered if it was all a dream and if when he awoke, he would be back at home with his parents in his own bed. But that was for another day.
As the car turned the corner it slid on the ice into an embankment. In the back-seat Thomas looked up to see a truck come veering at his side of the car and panicked. Had he put on his seat belt as his father had asked him to? In a blink of an eye the crunching sound of metal on metal filled his ears. Then it was silent. He seemed to have gone into some type of time warp. He had read so many books about time travel and had always longed to do such a thing. Yet, here in this silence he wondered if he should have wished for it at all. Silence, then light and love. A love embraced him such as he had never felt before. It was like when his mother cradled him in her arms and looked into his eyes as they rocked when he was a babe. He had not felt that feeling for a long time as now he was older, they did not cuddle on the rocking chair like they used to. Rising out of his body he seemed to float in the air suspended in time. Nobody was with him there in the space between the ground and the sky. Looking around he noticed that he could see the accident below him. A van with a lady in it had stopped to help. She was slipping on the ice as she walked toward the car all the while dialing a number on her cell phone.
“She must be calling for help,” Thomas thought.
He wondered if the accident had been bad but felt no pain, no emotions other than the pure love. It was as if he was floating into another dimension above the Earth. He watched for a while as his mother got out of the car on the passenger side and ran around to the side where he had been seated in the back. At that moment he saw something new! It was an angel. In an instant an angel was carrying him, holding him in her arms. She had wings like a dove and spoke soft words to comfort him. As they rose into the space above soft music began to fill the air: the kind with no voices, just sounds. The kind his teacher had made them listen to when he was writing in English Class. He thought of how that music made the kids laugh as they thought their teacher was silly for not just playing what they liked on the radio. The soft sounds were similar and yet so different. He listened as the angel’s wings flapped as they continued up into the air above where he lived. Within the music now he recognized the sound of a harp. He had heard one once in band. The teacher had them listen to recordings before, but he had never heard one in person. But the other sounds he could not place. Some sounded like bird calls and whistles while others were unfamiliar. Listening to the sounds lulled Thomas into a restful sleep. He fell asleep in the arms of the angel just as he had years ago in his mother’s arms. He was at peace.
As 2017 came to a close I was drawn to pray for a teacher who was up against the board of education at her school. Her having prayed for her students was the reason behind the meeting and the possibility of losing her job was amiss. As I read of the circumstances she was within I began to feel her pain. I too, had been a teacher who prayed for the children in my classroom. I knew it was not legal to do so but did it anyway knowing all of the while I was risking my career. I was blessed in that the district I worked in did not complain when I had a small picture of Jesus near my desk nor did they call me out when I walked the hallways blessing each room prior to the commencement of each school year. I kept my praying low key. I never initiated it aloud. I would pray in silence and often leave the lunch room to avoid the gossip and be where I could find solace. I find that now I am home more and unable to work I am drawn to prayer more and more each day. As I watch things on television and see the news etc. I hear so much negativity in all areas. One part of what we all witness is the violence in our schools. I never dreamt when I became a teacher that we would have secured entranceways and hear of shootings in the buildings. But even more so than that I never dreamt I would have to experience the negativity of life in the buildings. I did, teachers are human and it happens, Yet, in addition I was so blessed to work with teachers who were people of faith. In fact for a while we even had a morning prayer group once a week in a classroom prior to the commencement of our day. We prayed for one another. We lifted up those in need. But, more than that we were the light of God in our building. We brought his light and his love into that building and loved all children no matter their walk of life. For they, are born in his image and all perfect in his eyes.
As we enter a new year I had made a commitment to God to begin a new prayer group on Facebook to pray for our schools. God Bless our Schools will be a venue through which we can lift up our concerns and pray for those in our schools. Why the schools? Because they encase the future of our nation. Those young people are the ones who will one day be the adults that lead our nation. I dedicate myself to posting scripture on the site and ask that you join us in our endeavor. Pray daily, or as often as you can. Light a candle or sing praises to God. The more light we cast into the world the better it will be. Today, I pledge as a part of 2018 I will pray daily for our schools. Feel free to join me. God is looking for those who will serve him. It might just be you.
Confession, to me it is much more than what it is to anyone who is a non-Catholic. As one of the Catholic faith it is about meeting with a representative of Jesus – the priest – to cleanse ones soul. As a priest, or man of the cloth, our father listens to us as a representative of Jesus to intercede and allow us to tell God all of our sins. I have to say that when I first came back to the Catholic faith from having been in the Protestant realm I thought that I really could just talk to God on my own. I had the mindset of many in that GOd hears our prayers when we talk to him and so I did not need to go to a confessional. Yet, when I went back to the confessional after many years of having been away I noted that there was a feeling unlike when I just talked to God. I was in the presence of a man of God who listened and then blessed me and absolved my sins. So often as a Protestant I confess and re-confessed my sins hoping that they were resolved. Yet, here I knew for a fact that God had heard them. I also knew what to do for my penance whether it be saying a prayer or doing an act of contrition. I know that this post is different than the others I tend to write, but it is my faith that has sustained me in times of the accident etc. I rely on God for so many things. I confess to you that I am not one to tell anyone what faith is for them. Yet, I know that confession is an element of the Catholic faith that I believe in. It is for me. Is it for you?
Such a relevant topic for a day like today. It is the anniversary of 9-11 and we are experiencing tumultuous weather issues in the USA. Our television news channels are broadcasting coverage of these events as people unify to send aid, workers, and more into the areas of need. Being sympathetic to the masses has been something we have all been able to do in the last few days and I assume it will continue for a while.
Sympathy, or the feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else’s misfortune is common during times such as these. We can see the emptiness in the eyes of those who have lost so much and we are pained in knowing that life can be so cruel. We watch as heroes of the catastrophes rise up and become noted on the screen and in the papers. Those who walk into scary places without fear for their own lives and recue people are those who we want to be like and they give us that good feeling deep inside knowing that they are there and that humans can be so loving and so kind. We cheer on the little guy driving out of harms way with his family in tow. He who is attempting to keep the family safe from harms way are heroes in their own sense.
We jeer and ridicule those who stay behind thinking them to be foolish yet forget that they have their reasons. Perhaps they do not have the money, gas, or a good vehicle to get them to safety hours or days away. We forget about the disabled, those who cannot drive, those who are ill and who are possibly just out of surgery. We scoff them even when all they want to do is survive the personal storm they are going through and tolerate the rest. Yet, I hear people say how those people who stay are stupid. Are they dumb or are they the true heroes of this whole thing? The heroes are also those staying at the bedside of a loved one who is in their last days. The heroes who those staying to help an elderly grandparent to be sure they are taken care of. The heroes are staying there to get the electricity back on and to put out the fires. They do not ask for your judgement, nor your condemnation for their choices. They would like your respect.
Sympathy is abounding, yes it is. But, empathy, well empathy is not so strong. The ability to understand what someone else is going through and let them do as they feel they need to without judgement is lacking. To share how they feel and why they feel the way they do is quite often forgotten. People have reasons. Let’s take two scenarios and look at them for just a moment-
** Within a few days of when my father died there was a massive ice storm. Trees were down and the power was out across our area. Most of the people could not get to town to the funeral. Safety was first for many. I applaud that. Yet, some chose to still go as we did not want him be buried alone. In that case some may have thought we were dumb and judged us. Sympathy was overflowing as many loved my father. But, empathy was not as apparent. To put yourself in one’s shoes and allow them to choose without the ramifications of judgement and gossip are not a strong suit in the US. I am just as guilty. I judged many that day and since. I am trying to change. But we need to go on…
**** Another scenario – Weddings occur at all times. Why just this morning I watched the news as a couple told of how they modified their destination wedding and had it locally instead. They redid this all while driving back from Florida via phone calls and texts to various sites. The wedding seemed lovely. The bride appeared thrilled to have just had the ceremony and to be married to the man she loves. That newscast reminded me of our wedding nearly 40 years ago. It was to be held on Jan. 28th, 1978 – but a blizzard came through. (No, I am not making this up. My life could be a TV series LOL) We had one week during a blizzard to redo the entire wedding. Flowers could not get in etc. We were lucky. Others did not have it so well.
My point is that somewhere someone is having a double issue every time a catastrophe happens. People die, babies are born, people get hurt, weddings and reunions have to be postponed. The elderly cannot get to their medicines, people need to be taken out of their homes on snowmobiles, boats, rafts, and more. I wish that they would show more people who tower over the storms of life and are victorious on the news. Those brides that save their weddings, those people who rescue the newborn puppies, or stay with a young mother as she delivers her newborn child. Those moments are the ones that are able to strengthen and unite us as a nation. Those are when we can look and say “Wow” I cannot believe that they survived that!”
I have always been proud to be an American. I am most proud when I witness the people blessed to live in the US help one another and come together to be unified as one. Times when we do not gossip nor finger point but get off our butts and help one another and do so with pure gusto. When we unify we are stronger than ever.
Be that strength that the bride who has to redo her wedding needs. Be the hope that a man burying his mother in a storm needs as he stands against the strong winds of change. You are designed to be able to do such things. Rise up America, it is time that we unify and become brothers. We need to stop dividing ourselves by bickering and picking on little things that do not matter that much in the big picture. Life matters, hope matters. Sympathy is a good thing. We are good at that one. Now, let us tackle empathy. Understand one another. Love one another. Edify one another. Love all Americans, be the light and the salt. It is on us. We just need to believe and act upon it. We can do it!
My fortieth class reunion is tonight. I am not going. I would but the people I held most dear during that time on my life are not coming or have passed away. I thought about going but then realized that with a traumatic brain injury the band after dinner alone would be too much. I picture the reunion in my head and see the tables of people talking and laughing about old times. They are discussing their careers and grandchildren. I have grandchildren. I could discuss them. But my career is over and I miss it dearly. The multiple conversations going on about me would force me to attempt to focus in on the one nearest to me and somehow attempt to hear what they are saying. That used to be so easy to do. But, now it is frustrating and it makes me quite anxious. I have overcome so many things in the past forty years. I have lost dear friends, family members, loved ones. I have survived major accidents and more. Yet, this time I cannot beat this thing that has messed up my brain. I keep on trying. I cannot overcome. I cannot be successful with beating this injury. It has literally taken over my life. I cannot even go and enjoy my class reunion. I know I am venting. I seem to need to do that from time to time. I vent because when I looked forward in my life I did not see this one coming.
I sat at my graduation while over 400 students walked up to get their diplomas and pictured my future. I saw a family who loved one another, a good looking dude at my side, a house with the white picket fence, a dog, and I was working as a teacher. That was all I wanted. I wasn’t asking for much. God blessed me with all but the dumb fence. I was living my dream. Then came the accident. It all seemed to come crashing down little by little after that. No more career, no more being able to drive to go family or friends, no more dog. Why no more dog? I get sick if I bend over too much. To care for a dog and have to hook them on a line to let them out would literally make me ill. So, I visit them at the farmer’s markets and swoon over them there. I miss so many things. I miss having a dog to jump on my lap. I miss being able to drive to soccer games and to be at the pool with my grandkids. Yea, I smile and make people think it is all good. I am pretty good at wearing that mask, jacket, whatever you want to call it. Then days like today come along and I come on here and type. I type to let others know how I truly feel. How hard it is to not be the old me. I miss her. I liked her more than I like the new me I have had to become. She would have been able to go to the reunion. But, here I sit and read the posts of the people in town and sulk. I have not overcome. Not today. Some days I do all right. But just like when someone you love dies you have those days that rear their ugly head and remind you of your loss. You cry and move on. It is life.
I thank you Lord for my family, and my home without the silly picket fence. I thank you for my dude at my side and for all of the things you have blessed us with. I will overcome this day by day one step at a time with you by my side. But as for today, keep me busy and let me feel you near. I overcome only with you at my side. HUGZ
A Walk in Faith 