“Here, we exist in our true form. While there are children here, it simply means that their soul is young.”
“So, how old would I be in Earth years?” David wondered, chuckling as he compared it to the equivalence of ‘dog years’.
“Your soul is over two thousand years old.”
“Whoa.” Was all David could say. “How come I don’t remember anything about this place? I mean…if I’ve had so many lives?”
“Earth’s dense atmosphere creates a long-term amnesia within souls. Some people spend many years here before they regain all of their memory.” She said, and then added, extending her hand to him. “Come…I have so much to show you!”
Ecstatic from seeing his mother again, he'd neglected to survey his new surroundings. Beneath his feet was the most lush, green grass he’d ever seen. The color and texture were vastly more pronounced than that on Earth. Every blade of grass exalted its own existence.
Looking up, his eyes witnessed a sight designed within the Garden of Eden. A vast expanse of green meadows rolled out before him like a royal carpet. Millions of wild flowers sprang forth from the emerald pasture. Each flower had an energy that illuminated from its core.
David released his mother’s hand and bent over to take a closer look at one of the flowers.
As he leaned in, he distinctly heard a melodic hum. Looking into the bright yellow center, beyond its vibrant blue petals, he saw the soul of the flower.
The flower acknowledged David’s presence. A sapphire aura extended from the flower, embracing David. As their two auras merged, David and the flowers, they literally became one with one another. He felt what it was like to be rooted within the dirt, to surrender to the breeze and to quench his thirst with cool, fresh rain.
Slowly separating, David stood up and thanked the flower with a mental gratitude.
In the distance, a mountain range sat majestically, its peaks reaching into the endless sky. Cascading waterfalls poured from several snowy summits. A crystalline lake shimmered as though diamonds danced upon the surface.
Listening to the falls thunder into the waters below, he could hear a soothing melody in the background.
“Does everyone come here when they die?” David wondered.
“No, every afterlife experience is unique. Just like life on Earth.” His mother responded. “Some souls are ready to move forward, some are not.”
“What do you mean?” David asked as he lay down on the grassy bedding.
“Well,” his mother began, “while we're on Earth, we grow through our experiences, good and bad. As we move through the lessons of life, our energy expands, increasing vibration. All energy is based on vibration…” She paused, noting his confused expression.
“This may be a little too much information for now.” She stated. “Would you like to see my house?”
“House?! You live in houses here?” David stood up and followed his mother.
Just over the hill, a cozy log cabin sat snuggled within the trees. Stepping inside, David was shocked to see a replica of his childhood home. From the outside, he didn’t recognize it, but inside, he’d stepped back in time.
On a shelf above the fireplace were several knick knacks, obviously made by a small child. Inspecting them closely, he realized they were the Mother’s Day presents he'd made for her when he was little. Picking up a long string of macaroni laced together formed a rough necklace; he looked at his mother questioningly.
“How are these here?” He asked with a bewildered smile.
“I’ve always loved the gifts you made for me, so I manifested them here, to remind me of you.” She answered proudly.
“Manifested?”
“Yes, everything here is a manifestation of thought. Thoughts are the most powerful energies in the universe.” She explained.
Considering the notion for a moment, he asked. “So, all you have to do it think of something and it appears?”
“Not only think of it, but show gratitude for what you ask. Giving thanks for the things you desire inspires the universe to bring it to you.”
“So, if I desire a glass of water, but also give thanks for it, it will come?” David thought this sounded too wonderful to be true!!
“Yes.” His mother replied with a smile.
Closing his eyes, David pictured receiving a glass of water and showed appreciation for it by whispering thank you. Opening his eyes, he glanced around, waiting for something to happen.
At first, it seemed nothing was going to appear, then suddenly, right before David’s eyes, a light began to shimmer near his left hand. It took a moment to completely come into focus, but sure enough, there in his hand, was a clean, clear glass of water.
Drinking it down, David felt the cool wetness slide down his throat. Holding the empty glass, he marveled at the wonder of this place.
“Amazing!” He exclaimed. “Why can we do this here, but not on Earth?” David asked as he placed the glass on the counter, and then watched as it dematerialized before his eyes.
“Actually, people on Earth can do this, but in a more basic form. They have the ability to do many things they're not aware of. Manifesting abundance or lack, changing the weather and creating health or illness in themselves.” She explained as they walked out of the house toward the lake.
Approaching the edge of the lake, he asked. “Is everything here a manifestation?”
“Yes. We all contribute our thoughts and dreams.”
Standing at the water's edge, ripples suddenly expanded outward as David noticed something swimming just below the surface. It resembled a large fish. All of a sudden, the waters parted to reveal a beautiful mermaid child.
“What the...” David's eyes widened in disbelief as he took a step back.
The doe-eyed mermaid smiled, flipped her tail and dove back under the water, her long blonde hair trailing gracefully behind her.
Turning to his mother, David’s expression was that of pure shock.
“The children here manifest the most wonderful things.” She said with a twinkle in her eye. “David...would you like to see the city?”
“City? Sure!” David was astounded by the complexity of this place. Not only did they live in beautiful houses and have mermaids in the water, but there was a city!! For a split second, he desperately hoped this was not a dream.
Sensing his internal worry, his mother quietly sent him a mental reassurance.
“No son, this is more real than anything you’ve ever known.”
With that, his mother took his hand again.
“Close your eyes, traveling can be a bit odd for newcomers.”
“Travel?” David thought inquisitively.
Closing his eyes, he felt his mother’s hand begin to vibrate. There was a sudden, but smooth, sense of movement. His body felt light and free.
“Open your eyes.” His mother’s voice spoke softly. “Welcome to the Great City.”
Opening his eyes, he saw a grand city made of light. It resembled a vast Roman empire made entirely of crystal quartz. Crystalline buildings, impossibly tall, appeared endless as they pierced a canopy of white clouds.
Every so often, the entire light spectrum of the city would shift, like a prism reflecting in the sun. One moment, everything was a radiant lavender shade, the next; it shimmered into a soft yellow.
“What do you think?” His mother asked.
Speechless, David simply smiled at her. He had no words for the beauty of this place. It was obvious why it was called Heaven.
Walking along the streets of the Great City, his mother pointed out several of the buildings and explained their purpose. She showed him the Opera House, the Movie Theater, the Arts and Entertainment Center, the Serenity Gardens and the Hall of Healing.
“What do they do at the Hall of Healing?” David asked, perplexed. “Is there illness here?”
“Many souls come home confused. Religion, society and, especially, the dark energies, can mislead the human soul into believing they will no
t be allowed to come home. They refuse to go into the light when they die.” She stated matter-of-fact, then continued. “If we can convince them to go into the light, they come here. The Hall of Healing is a center for those who need love and guidance, not to mention a detoxification from Earth’s influences.”
David thought for a moment, and then asked. “I thought 'God' decided who got into Heaven?”
“No, we choose to come here, or not come here, by our own decision.”
David nodded, and then asked, jokingly. “So there's no old guy with a beard floating around here somewhere creating all of this?”
Laughing lightly, she explained. “God, or the Source, as we call it, is an intelligent energy that creates by dividing itself.”
Noticing David's confused expression, she continued. “In the beginning, a great energy divided to create the light and the dark. Then it split again to form the Heavens and the Earth, and so on. Everything, including us, is a fragment of the original power.” Pausing, she then added, “Think of a fertilized egg in a womb. How the cell divides itself over and over again, eventually creating a whole human being.”
“So He…the Source…is human?” David pondered.
“No, humans are only one form of energy; there are millions upon millions of beings that represent the Source.”
“Oh, like animals?” He was thoroughly enjoying this conversation.
“Yes, animals, plants, minerals, Earth, celestial bodies…and that’s just in our solar system.” She added with a sly smile.
Suddenly very excited, David began quizzing his mother on extraterrestrials and other galaxies. As his mother entertained David with fantastic stories of other planets and species of aliens, she'd been leading him to a beautiful, rounded building that resembled the Taj Mahal on Earth.
The building was surrounded by a beautiful garden. Fountains sprayed their melodic waters into large wading pools. Articulate white steps led up to an entrance with four ivory pillars, trailing red roses wrapped themselves around each.
“Let’s go meet your spirit guide.” His mother stated, guiding David into the building.
“Spirit guide?” David looked her quizzically.
“Yes, everyone is given a guide when they return home. Zophial was your spirit guide on Earth, though her job was quite different.”
“Job? We have to work in Heaven?!” David was amused that even in the afterlife, people had to work.
Giggling, his mother elaborated, “It’s not like working on Earth. We choose to work here. Everything is a choice. All work is for the greater good.”
“Sheesh, I’m never gonna get to retire.” He teased with a wide grin.
Smiling at David, she led him into a grand foyer.
“This is the Hall of Records, everyone and everything that has ever existed has their energy imprinted here. Spirit guides impress themselves with the knowledge of the ones they are guiding.” His mother explained.
“Impress themselves? What does that mean?” He asked as he examined the art work on the walls, noticing an exact duplicate of the Mona Lisa.
“It means they absorb the energy, to better acquaint themselves with the blueprint and history of their student.” She said, guiding David through a doorway.
The room they stepped into was lined from floor to ceiling with books, millions upon millions of books.
There were many people in the room, seated at glass tables, apparently studying. Each had several books in front of them, but none of the books were open. The people were just laying their hands on the books and closing their eyes.
David watched one man with his hand on a thick, leather bound book. A small light transferred itself from the book into the man’s hand.
“David, I’d like you to meet your spirit guide, Evangeline.” His mother said from behind him. Still watching the old man absorb light from the books, David extended his hand without looking.
A delicate hand embraced his own as he turned to focus on his spirit guide.
Wedding Day
A white archway stood in the middle of the yard, roses laced in and out of the lattice. A trail of white petals blanketed the ground, creating a snowy path to the arbor.
Rows of ivory chairs had been placed, creamy yellow bows decorating each. To the far right, an elegant banquet table dressed with a lace runner, topped with dozens of presents.
The blue sky watched over the ceremony from above like a stained glass cathedral ceiling. It was as though Heaven had opened its doors for the day in recognition of their love.
Guests had begun arriving shortly after lunch, eager to see the new couple wed.
Lily's mother and sister, Sheridan, were bustling around making sure all last minute details were attended to. Quinn dressed in an elegant cream sundress and her long caramel hair pinned up, welcomed guests and led them to their seats. Her demeanor was slightly more pleasant than expected.
A sweaty Father Matt, wearing his heavy ceremonial robes, mopped his brow as the hot sun took no mercy on the poor priest.
Lily's father had taken it upon himself to inspect the arbor, as well as each and every chair for sturdiness and safety.
Gabe's mother arrived late because she had to pick up Anna from the airport. Anna had just come back from a fun-filled holiday in Mexico. Dimitris hadn't arrived yet, but called to say he was on his way.
As friends and family filed onto the property, a very nervous bride was having her hair curled.
Sarah had come the day before to help. Curling Lily's long caramel hair took almost two hours, but it was well worth it. Long ringlets hung from Lily's head like butterscotch ribbons. A wreath of fresh daisies laced along her crown and trailed down the back of her hair.
The ivory sleeves on her dress began at mid-arm, draped long and flowed to her waist. A cascading shawl of translucent white graced her bare shoulders. The bust of the dress was a tightly fitted corset, laced up in the back with a thick white ribbon. Flowing from her waist to the floor, the bottom of the dress was several pieces of white satin shaped like long, elegant petals.
Staring at herself in the mirror, she thought she looked like a beautiful white orchid. Tears filled her eyes as she realized the gravity of the day.
I'm getting married today. She thought as tears of happiness welled at the base of her eyes. I'm marrying Gabe.
~
On the other side of the house, assisting Lily's brothers with valet parking was a very happy groom.
Gabe's cheeks hurt from all the smiling he was doing. His hair had been freshly cut that morning at the barbers. Short and slick, he thought he looked like a new man.
Lily's going to be so shocked I cut my hair. He thought humorously.
Fiddling constantly with the rings in pocket, he decided he'd hand them over to Dimitris when he arrived, since he was the best man.
Gabe's mother kept looking at Gabe and every time she did, she'd dab away fresh tears forming her eyes.
A crash from the kitchen startled everyone outside.
“Quinn! Land sake's girl, shape up or get out of my kitchen!” Maggie's annoyed voice hollered from inside.
Gabe chuckled, thinking of Quinn getting in trouble.
As the time grew nearer, many people seated them themselves, eager to see the bride and groom.
Upstairs, Lily used a fan to cool and calm herself.
“Eat Lily!” Sarah insisted as she forced a muffin into the bride's shaking hands.
“Ugh. The thought of food is nauseating right now.” Lily grimaced as she pushed the food away.
Lily sat on the bed, waiting for the signal to go downstairs. Outside, she could hear many people talking amongst themselves, waiting for her. Her head spun a little as she recalled the events over the last couple of months.
It seemed unbelievable that she and Gabe had gone from having absolutely no romantic future together to getting married in such a short time. She smiled as she realized that today was truly the best day of her life...so far.
A
light knock came at the door, stirring Lily out of her thoughts.
Lily's mother peeked in and said quietly, “It’s time.”
As she looked at her daughter for the first time as a bride, however, she became nearly hysterical.
“Mom, it’s okay!” Lily attempted to sooth her mother.
“Mrs. Donovan, please!” Sarah begged, checking her watch.
It took Lily and Sarah nearly ten minutes to calm her mother enough to go downstairs. At the front door stood Lily’s father, dressed in a black tuxedo, awaiting the arm of his daughter.
His eyes glistened as he looked at his daughter’s face and said, “Lily, my girl, I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you Daddy.” Lily said in a quiet voice, a tear escaping her eye and gliding down her cheek.
Walking down the steps, everyone turned to look at Lily. Everyone gasped at the sight of the beautiful young bride. Music played softly as she and her father walked arm in arm down the aisle.
Standing at the head of the aisle, was Gabe.
~
Looking down the aisle at his Lily, Gabe was dumbfounded by her beauty. Never before had he seen a real, live angel...until today.
They didn't have a rehearsal, but Father Matt had instructed Gabe as to traditional wedding procedure. Apparently none of that mattered at this moment. Instead of waiting for Lily's father to bring her up the aisle, Gabe met them half-way and taking his bride by both hands, led her to the altar. Lily's father nodded respectfully to Gabe as he let go of his little girl.
“We are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of these two children of God.” began Father Matt.
As the old priest continued, Lily whispered to Gabe, “You cut your hair!”
Smothering a laugh, Gabe shushed her. Father Matt, slightly deaf, continued without noticing their conversation.
“Do you, Lily Evelynn Donovan take this man, Gabriel Adonis Konstantinos, to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, until death do you part?” Father Matt asked.
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