West of the Quator
Page 43
That is why you see I have come to guide my Grandson, Rob, on his journey across his ocean of life. In this life of his, I never knew him. But when Lilly crossed over, we took on our pre-ordained appointments to guide Rob to Paradise. Rob smiled – he now knew his true heritage. He knew why Grandpa had meant so much to him – why he’d always been so intrigued with stories of travel and adventure. It was in his blood – it was in his genetic make-up – it was his destiny. He had had many teachers throughout his life, Rob thought. Lilly had been his first, and I was destined to be his last. But then Rob realized that pain, suffering, failure, and loss had truly been his greatest teacher in the end. It had taught him that when all else is gone- the mind, the body, the ego, and one’s possessions – the only thing that survives is love. At the time Rob had seen his pain and suffering as bad, but once he’d been able to climb that mast to get a better perspective, he had been able to see the bigger picture. It was all about perspective after all – wasn’t it? If one learns to just be, one doesn’t perceive the ‘bad’ things as bad – just simply a lesson to be learned towards one’s higher purpose.
Standing side-by-side amongst a sea of corn – their friends and family in attendance, Rob and Alex said their “I do’s.” Rob had finally realized that only his ego had been in love before he’d met Alex – his love Sydney had not been love from his heart. It was simply love from his ego – fulfilled by Sydney’s physical attributes and standing in society. Looking at Alex dressed in pale blue to match her eyes, Rob knew that his love for her came from a much deeper place – it came from a source within him which brought him peace and joy he’d never known before.
As they said their vows to one another, Rob suddenly understood what was meant by joining in a union of oneness, but at the same time remaining free to each be who they were for the rest of their lives. “I do take this woman to love and to cherish, to honor and respect until death us do part,” said Rob, meaning it from the very depth of his soul. Of course he took her for better or for worse – for richer or poorer-after all they’d already covered all that ground. Alex was glowing as he slipped the ring on her finger and kissed her, feeling the warmth of her inner light which he welcomed into his own being. He was ready – ready to step out of the darkness and into the light – forever. Alex knew that her mother and father were watching, as was Grandma, whose smile she could see beaming clearly all the way from ‘The Other Side’ when Rob slipped that ring on her finger.
Rob had made it nearly halfway across that ocean called life. He had learned to let his past go, but, he was still working on the future. Working on not letting it run his life. But, most importantly, he was learning to live in the present, leaving my job yet unfinished – at least until Rob reaches the Other Shore and comes home – many, many happy years from now. Until then, I’ll keep working on him – keeping him aware and focused on his course. But more importantly – keeping him always living in the moment, and ever learning from the University of Life.
THE END
To Be Continued
Somewhere
WEST OF THE EQUATOR
“If a diver is to secure pearls he must
descend to the bottom of the sea,
braving all dangers of jagged coral and vicious sharks,
So man must face the perils of worldly passion
if he is to secure the precious pearl of Enlightenment.”
Siddhartha Buddha
1*HYDROSLIDE BOARD — An abbreviated surfboard of sorts, or what is known as a wave board or buggy board – designed with a bridle to be pulled behind a boat like a type of ski.
FINAL SCENE
“Age looks down from her balcony, and sees
Youth, an army of Quixotes
Tilting at shadows with fine new lances
While the audience laughs
And the Devil dances.”
Lorna Steele