Bethel's Meadow

by Shultz, Gregory

  “What about the meadow?” she’s asking.

  “Doc,” I say, “please bring her in.”

  He smiles and nods. “Okay, son. I want you to know that I’m proud of you for doing this. Most men wouldn’t.” The door closes behind him.

  I place my hands on Glory’s delicate cheeks.

  “But now,” I say, “now I know that I have the power to find a meadow here in Tennessee. Together, you and I can build one of our own. Will you help me do that?”

  Glory smiles and says, “Yes, I will help you do anything you want.”

  “Before that little girl walks in here,” I say, “I want you to know something.”

  “What’s that, Bethel?”

  “The day I met you . . .” I look back at the door. It’s now creaking open again . . .

  “Well,” I finally say as I hug Glory tighter than she would probably like, “no matter what happens with this little girl, I am going to love and care for you until the day I die.”

  In one tiny space in the universe I have found my calling, my reason for living, and my true purpose.

  The door is now open, but I can’t see anyone in the doorway. But what I can see in my mind’s eye is that peaceful meadow again. And now it is enveloping everything around me, surrounding everything in my field of vision. It’s like I have eyes in the back of my head—I can see the full panoramic view of the beautiful mountains, as well as the multi-colored array of dogwoods, maples, cherry blossoms, oaks, and willows that blanket the sloping and sprawling hills . . . the blue jays and the mockingbirds . . . the puffy white pillows of clouds hanging low above the water. Oh! See how peaceful the still blue water of the pond is . . .

  “Bethel? Bethel? Are you okay?”

  I snap back into reality.

  I realize now that there is nothing at all mystical or heavenly about the meadow. It is actually something quite evil. Through that doorway in my mind, the meadow only disguises a dark void that is hidden within it. Somewhere amidst all the colorful flora and fauna of it, there lies a path to insanity, a seductive avenue of surrender that tempts the weak and the weary to enter.

  I am now closing that door, locking it, and throwing away the key.

  Why?

  Because I am a fighter, and my soul is no longer weak and weary.

  I am a father now. I will soon be a husband. I am close to having everything that a good man longs for.

  I say to Glory, “I’m just fine, my beautiful wife-to-be.”

  I turn, and just a few feet away from me is the most beautiful child I have ever seen.

  Miranda is smiling at me. She’s a tiny thing, even for ten years old.

  I drop into a crouch so that our eyes are level with one another.

  “Hello, little angel,” I say. “Did anyone ever tell you that you have the prettiest blue eyes?”

  In this child’s eyes, as well as in the eyes of the woman I love, I have found Heaven on Earth, a place where I don’t have to close my eyes to enjoy its majesty, a place where I am at peace with myself and everything and everyone around me.

  I have finally found my way back home.

  And it’s better than any place I could have possibly imagined.

  ****

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  http://www.AuthorGregoryShultz.com