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As she drove to university, Ariel was uplifted and happy - her life was going well, her grades at university were excellent, and, she was in line for a scholarship. Ariel worked hard for her success, and was content with how life had been treating her until this time. At this point, her mind shifted back to her grandmother and her other relatives. Ariel imagined herself wearing the fashions of yesteryear, and how her ancestors may have lived in that era.
She envisioned herself wearing Victorian fashions, with long silk toilettes, smart hats, subtle jewelry, walking with an umbrella in the sunshine, and pondered how stylish her relatives were. It would have been an eye-opening experience to live in this era, and Ariel sighed in awe, temporarily taking her eyes away from the road. A loud beeping of horns returned her attention back to the present, and Ariel noticed she was driving on the wrong side of the road. In a panic, she swerved her car, thankfully not colliding into anyone but, the car was beyond her control, and she could not do anything to change this.
Ariel’s body was restrained by her seatbelt, but there was an almost unbearable sense she did not know what was happening, and that she was incapable of managing the events occurring to her. She sensed that her car had rolled over several times, but was not entirely sure if this was accurate. Ariel did not believe that she had hit anyone or anything, but the sheer sensation of powerlessness, and not knowing what was happening to her, was overwhelming. She attempted to call out, make a noise, scream, shout, or murmur, but, could not do anything of the sort. Ariel tried to open her eyes, but could not see anything, as it was pitch black, with no discernible light evident in the least.
After what seemed like a protracted few minutes in total darkness, Ariel’s body was now at peace, but it was a pleasurable kind of serenity, one she had never before experienced. She was not in her car now, but, instead, was walking up a dimly lit path, unsure exactly where she was going, and what could be encountered there. Ariel was in a daze, looking around, upwards, and down, saying, “Where am I? What’s going on?” Ariel continued her slow stroll, sensing that while she did not know exactly where she was heading, curiosity compelled her to continue moving forward.
As if some unknown force was answering her thoughts, a lighted path emerged for her, which guided Ariel to a white door. Ariel looked around to see whether the path was lit as it was before, but the light led directly to this door, and nowhere else. While the path was still slightly apparent into the distance, it appeared it did not lead anywhere, but, that Ariel was being guided to this door for some unknown reason. Ariel wanted to open the door, but believed that it may have been risky to do this, as something dangerous might have been behind it. After a few tense moments, inquisitiveness became the better of her; Ariel was about to grip the door’s handle with great anticipation, and took a deep breath, but what she witnessed next took her breath away.
Before she had a chance to touch the door, it opened gradually, and revealed her grandmother Marni, who smiled at her in the same loving, natural way she did in life. Ariel’s eyes widened in shock; she did not believe what she was seeing - her grandmother was in front of her, as she was in life, but when she tried to utter a single word, or move, she could not do this. It was as if her feet were glued to the ground, and someone was covering her mouth with their hand, refusing to let her speak. Her grandmother watched Ariel with kindness, and said,
“I’ve missed you so much Ariel,” pulling the stunned young woman into her arms, an embrace which Ariel accepted with a mixture of immense happiness, and disbelief. Marni stroked Ariel’s long blond hair, and Ariel experienced a tremendous sense of security being in her grandmother’s presence.
While her grandmother treated all of her grandchildren the same way, never playing favorites with any of them, Ariel perceived that, deep down, she was the apple of her grandmother’s eye. They had a connection that transcended age gaps and everything imaginable - they could say things to each other they could not share with anyone else, except for her own mom. Whenever Ariel visited her grandmother, she would always tell Ariel to look after her mother, which was something she remembered, and treasured all her life. All of these memories, and many other fond recollections came flooding back to Ariel, and she was overcome by immense joy that she had met her grandmother again, and began to cry. Ariel’s grandmother Marni continued stroking her hair, and pulled away slightly to look at her.
“Everything will be all right, you’ll see,” Marni said. Ariel watched her, still disbelieving of this entire situation. Her grandmother dried Ariel’s copious tears with a handkerchief, and cupped her face in her hands.
“I have something special planned for you today Ariel - just follow me, you’ll see.” Before Ariel had a chance to respond, Marni took Ariel’s hand, and led her out of the door, and down the path she hesitated to walk before.
“Where are we going Grandma?” Ariel asked, now a little more composed than she was previously.
Marni looked at Ariel lovingly, and said,
“Some people would like to meet you, and I’m sure you’d like to meet them too.” Ariel was gobsmacked about exactly what her grandmother meant, and shook her head.
“Who?” Ariel asked.
Nodding her head thoughtfully, Marni replied,
“You’ll find out very soon my dear.” The atmosphere was filled with a white smoke that partially obscured Ariel’s line of sight, but her grandmother’s warm hold on her hand was reassuring, and put her at ease.
They arrived at another white door, identical to the first white door where Ariel found her grandmother, and they stopped in front of it. Marni turned to face Ariel, and said,
“The people in this room are very much looking forward to seeing you, as I’m sure you are.” Ariel knew she should just relax, as she was very secure in her grandmother’s presence but, the suspense was killing her. Who was behind this door, and what did all of this mean for her? Ariel took a deep breath, and, as her grandmother opened the door, readied herself for whatever was to happen next.
Ariel was astonished to find both her great-grandmother Emilia, and her great-great grandmother Vanessa standing together, with a warm smile, just as they were in the photographs she had studied on countless occasions, and discussed with her mother. Upon seeing them, Ariel began to question whether this really was happening to her, or, was it all just a dream. Marni noticed that Ariel was stunned to see her ancestors in front of her, and gently moved her towards them. Ariel took baby steps, gazing at them both in wonder, and looked back at her grandmother, who urged her to walk towards them. Marni offered her hand to her granddaughter for support, who took it, leading her towards the other women.
Ariel first touched her great-grandmother Emilia on the face, and did the same with her great-great grandmother Vanessa, and, eagerly embraced each of them, searching for meaning in their affectionate eyes.
“I can’t believe it - is this a dream, or is it real? Where am I? What is happening to me?” Ariel asked the women, looking at them, and shaking her head.
They watched Ariel with much love.
“You’re with us now, and you’re safe, don’t worry about anything.” Marni moved closer to Ariel, and spoke softly. “We have some things to tell you Ariel, which you have to hear,” Marni said. Ariel’s mouth was open in a combination of admiration, suspense, but exultation, still disbelieving that she was face-to-face with her relatives whom, apart from her grandmother, she had never before met, but, had idolized for many years.
Marni looked over to Vanessa, who began to speak, Ariel watching them all the while, spellbound.
“You’ve been through a great ordeal, for which we are sorry you have endured. Even though we’ve never met you until now, please know we’ve always admired you as a person for who you are, and that we love you unconditionally.” Ariel was thunderstruck hearing these words from her great-great grandmother Vanessa, and looked over at both her great-grandmother and grandmother, who were watching he
r with a friendly grin. Her great-grandmother Emilia moved towards her, and stroked Ariel’s hair.
“We know you’ve always yearned to meet us, and this feeling of being wanted so much by you, and your mom, is heartening for us - you don’t know how much.”
Ariel’s eyes filled with tears upon hearing this, and she touched Emilia on the hand. Ariel looked to her grandmother, and choked back tears.
“I have always loved you grandma, but I’ve never been able to tell you. Mom feels the same way, she misses you terribly.” Grandmother Marni smiled, and shed a tear.
“We know how much you both love us, but one thing’s for sure, and be certain of this - we’ve always known that, never doubt it,” Marni said. With this admission, a mood of great bliss gripped Ariel, and she hugged all her grandmothers one by one, tears streaming down her face. This was an experience Ariel had always thought about, but had never believed would come to fruition. Ariel, any which way, was going to ensure she would enjoy every single moment she had with her grandmothers.
After a few minutes of contact with them, her great-great grandmother Vanessa pulled away from her, and said,
“Ariel?”
“Yes grandma?”
“One thing is assured.” Vanessa said, with conviction.
Ariel looked at Vanessa in puzzlement.
“What do you mean grandma?”
Vanessa released a large sigh, and looked away for a moment from Ariel, but again faced her.
“You’re not ready to join us here yet - you have so many experiences to live in your life - to marry, have children, see them grow and flourish, just like myself, your other grandmothers, and your mom. You still have so much to achieve, and it would be unfair of us to keep you here any longer.”
Ariel was a little surprised at hearing this from Vanessa, and a conflicted sensation reverberated in her stomach.
“But I want to stay with you - I don’t want to leave you yet, just as I’ve finally found you.” Vanessa smiled earnestly, and nodded, stroking Ariel’s blond hair, which was shimmering in the light, as if she were an angel.
“Like I said, you have so much to do in your life - what about your university studies, do you not wish to finish those? And what about your mom, do you want to leave her all alone?” Vanessa said softly. Ariel shook her head, to which Vanessa nodded. “I thought so.” Ariel again began to cry, and Vanessa took her in her arms, in which she stayed for several minutes, watched on by her other grandmothers. Ariel felt so safe with her grandmothers that she wanted to be with them, speak more with them, and enjoy their company, but she was content to stay in Vanessa’s firm, but gentle embrace. After sensing that Ariel was now a little more composed, Vanessa pulled away from Ariel, and stroked her hair.
“We wish you a beautiful voyage in life dear Ariel, and always remember to look after your mom, because if you look after your mother, your children will also look after you.” The grandmothers glanced at each other with a sad look in their eyes, and looked back at Ariel. With this, Ariel’s grandmother Marni hugged her first, followed by her great-grandmother Emilia, then her great-great-grandmother Vanessa, who held her tightly for a spell, and looked her directly in the eye. “Follow what I say Ariel, and you’ll lead a beautiful life. Say hello to your mom from me, and let her know that we love her very much.”
With this, Marni led Ariel little by little to the door, her other grandmothers close behind. Ariel’s grandmother Marni hugged her again, and said, “Remember we’ll always be with you, and that wherever you are, we’ll always be beside you. We wish you the best journey that life has to offer.”
Ariel began to cry, her insides gutted by the enforced separation from her grandmothers.
“I don’t want to part with you at all - let me stay here with you.”
Grandmother Marni caressed her hair, and smiled intently.
“No, like grandma Vanessa said, you have so many things to do in your life - but rest assured we’ll meet again someday; not now, but in many years’ time. Your mom needs you, and we can’t leave her all alone now, can we?” Through her tears, Ariel, though, knew that her grandmother was right, as always. “Now follow the lighted path up to the white door at the very end, and you’ll be spirited back to life.” Ariel nodded, but reluctantly proceeded to walk out of the room. She looked behind as all of her grandmothers waved to her, watching her with great fondness, and Ariel every so often turned around, and waved in return. While Ariel did not want to leave her grandmothers in any way, a tremendous force was pulling her away from them, and she noticed that they were rapidly disappearing into the distance.
While Ariel fought with all her might to stop this, there was nothing she could do, as this force was that powerful. Ariel now found herself at the initial spot where she began her journey, and walked back down the path she had originally traversed, which was lit, ensuring her return to her next destination. As she was crossing this path, a sudden gust of wind pulled Ariel away from the path that she had no control over. This lasted for some time, and Ariel was taken aback by this, but again could do nothing other than let it happen. The sensation of floating on air, though, was extremely pleasurable, and liberating to her in a strange way. After this had eased, and her feet were back down on the ground, Ariel observed a white light so bright she had to close her eyes for a few moments to escape its piercing luminescence. It sent her a little dizzy, but it was a beautiful light nonetheless, bringing a feeling of calm, and serenity to her. Ariel sighed deeply, keeping her eyes closed, and she was now more relaxed, and happier, than she had been in a long time.
When she next opened her eyes, Ariel looked around, utterly confused by where she was. Her vision was still a little foggy from the intense light, but she concentrated with all of her strength, and could see some women walking around her, carefully studying her. She looked straight in front of her, and then to the left, and saw her mother Marie, who was smiling at her. Ariel could not comprehend where she was, and wanted to speak, but, could not do so. After a few difficult moments where she sensed that her words would not come out, she managed to say,
“Where am I?” still groggy, and very disoriented. Her mom Marie stroked her forehead, and watched her lovingly. “Mom, it’s you!” Ariel said with excitement. The women observed each other, Marie smiling warmly at Ariel. Marie did not speak, and touched her daughter’s hand, but Ariel became serious all of a sudden, and frowned. “What happened to me Mom?” Marie sighed, and emitted a cautious smile to her. Ariel emitted an expression of confusion, but Marie knew it was time to tell her daughter what happened, in order to allay her concerns.
“You were in an accident Ariel, and have been out of consciousness for days...but let’s not talk about that right now - just relax.” The top section of Ariel’s head was swathed in bandages, as was her arm. Thinking of what her mother had just said, Ariel was perplexed, and tried to remember what had happened, but could not recall anything. She wracked her brain trying to remember just a small detail, anything, that would fill in what happened to land her in this position, but she could not manage a thing. The more Ariel thought about it, the more confused she became, but she was not in the mood to test herself any more. She was extremely tired, and Ariel knew she was exhausting herself the more she thought about everything.
Ariel finally gave up, and sighed. As she slowly became acquainted with her current circumstances, Ariel sensed that she was wearing something on her head, but tubes restrained her arm, and she unsuccessfully attempted to move it. Marie placed her hand on Ariel’s arm, indicating that she should not move.
“Just relax Ariel, I’m here with you, there’s nothing to worry about.” Ariel nodded, knowing her mother was with her gave her strength. As Ariel slowly became cognizant of her situation, looking around her hospital room, she remembered her beautiful experience with her grandmothers, and beamed with pleasure unexpectedly, which only baffled her mother.
“Mom,” Ariel said.
“Yes
dear.”
“You know what I saw?”
“What?” Marie asked. Ariel started to seem a little more animated already, which delighted Marie. Ariel had been unconscious for days, and doctors were uncertain when, or if, she would emerge from her coma.
“I saw Grandma, and all my other Grandmas.”
Marie’s eyes shone with enchantment at hearing this.
“Really?”
“Yes, grandma Marni was as radiant as she was in life - and my other grandmas Vanessa and Emilia were like they were in the photos we have - beautiful, calm...it was incredible,” Ariel said, eyes filled with wonder.
“Yes, I’m sure they were,” Marie said, becoming teary-eyed upon remembering her own mother.
“We had a long conversation, and they said several things to me which I’ll never forget,” Ariel said, eyes alive with wonder.
“What did they say?” Marie asked, transfixed by Ariel’s experience. While it had been ten years since the loss of her mother, the grief was still very fresh for Marie. Anything that reminded her of her mom made her want her back even more, but Marie knew that this was not possible.
“They said that I should look after you, and as my life is just starting, I have so much to live for,” Ariel said.
Marie wiped tears from her face with her handkerchief, and looked into the distance.
“Yes, they’re right - we do have so much to live for, and be grateful for.” She was peering out of the hospital window, where sunlight was coming through with much immediacy. Marie looked back at Ariel, and nodded her head. “One day we’ll all be together...but for now, we will look after each other, and live our lives as best as we can, taking each day as it comes,” Marie said, moving closer to her daughter. Ariel smiled, and patted her mother’s cheek.
“Yes, this is what my, and our, grandmothers said - this is the grandmother’s message,” Ariel said, looking at her mom with gratitude for her presence in her life, and, for her return through the gates of life.
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