Read Online Diary of an Angel by Michael M. Farnsworth - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Michael M. Farnsworth
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the warmth and love of it.
They stayed like that for some time. Angela continued to lie on the bed, eyes opened but not seeing, like she was lost in a far-off dream. I felt loath to interrupt this sweet scene. After learning of my desires to bring Lily to Angela, Anawin had counseled me not make this merely a warm-feelings visit.
“Angela needs to associate those feelings with Lily,” she had said. “That may require you to recall to her mind painful memories. She may push away when you do, but you must take the risk. Otherwise Lily’s visit to earth will be of little value. And Forenica...you’re not likely to be granted this opportunity again.”
I crouched next to Angela’s bedside and began running my hands through her hair. I sighed. “Oh, Angela,” I said softly, but not for her to hear. “How beautiful you are! Heaven’s missing one of her stars.”
Then I spoke to her. “Angela, that’s Lily. Lily’s here with you.” Lily’s name entered her mind like an electric shock. Almost immediately a floodgate released a surge of emotions. Bitter thoughts jabbed painfully at her mind. Guilt, regret, anger, spite all swirled and swelled within her, determined to rob her of the happiness she felt just moments before. Painful memories unfolded in her mind. But this was a battle she’d fought before. And at length, she forced those dark thoughts back into their hole.
I took hold of her hand. “Lily’s here. She is well. She is OK.”
Then I reached into the depths of her memory and pulled out sweet remembrances—painful still, but sweet. She saw in her mind scenes of Lily: the joyful day she was born; her first smiles and laughs; how little Catherine loved doting on her; the way she loved playing peek-a-boo with Jack; the mess she made the first time she ate solid food; her first attempts at crawling; the way her little mouth hung open as she slept peacefully. A faint smile touched Angela’s face. I told her again that Lily was happy and well. I told her over and over again, while Lily continued to pat and kiss her cheek. The thought reverberated through her mind.
Slowly, imperceptibly, a new feeling began to grow inside her. That feeling which only heaven can grant, which can drive away grief and sorrow, and turn away fear. Peace. And it was to Angela as a warm quilt on a winter’s night. Tears began to pour from her eyes and collect on her pillow. I smiled at Lily, who was now kissing her mother excitedly. A soft hand touched my shoulder. I turned back to see Clairus, two teardrops resting on her smiling cheeks. With the briefest of nods she told me what I already knew—Lily’s time had ended.
I nodded, and then turned back to them. How I wished we did not have to separate them again! If only Angela could have come back with us and leave the mortal world forever. But it was not her time. Lily gave her one final embrace, one that must last until that day when nothing would ever separate them again. Then picking Lily up once more, we returned her to heaven.
* * *
Angela was quiet and withdrawn for the rest of the day, a mix of emotions flooding her thoughts. Her unexpected experience that morning left her uncertain what to think or feel. For so long she’d held firm to her bitterness that letting it go felt unnatural.
Justin and Kailey noticed their mother’s tractable behavior and readily took advantage of her, for which Avin and Viana were kept especially busy. Jack also perceived this change in Angela’s demeanor, though he made no comment to her about it. They were still avoiding unnecessary contact.
A noticeable silence hung over dinner. Not even the usually loquacious Kailey uttered a word. I almost wished Justin would launch some food at Catherine just to break the silence. At last, dinner ended and the family members went their separate ways. I continued to cling to Angela as much as she would let me. With a little persuasion I convinced her to take an evening walk. She’d been
They stayed like that for some time. Angela continued to lie on the bed, eyes opened but not seeing, like she was lost in a far-off dream. I felt loath to interrupt this sweet scene. After learning of my desires to bring Lily to Angela, Anawin had counseled me not make this merely a warm-feelings visit.
“Angela needs to associate those feelings with Lily,” she had said. “That may require you to recall to her mind painful memories. She may push away when you do, but you must take the risk. Otherwise Lily’s visit to earth will be of little value. And Forenica...you’re not likely to be granted this opportunity again.”
I crouched next to Angela’s bedside and began running my hands through her hair. I sighed. “Oh, Angela,” I said softly, but not for her to hear. “How beautiful you are! Heaven’s missing one of her stars.”
Then I spoke to her. “Angela, that’s Lily. Lily’s here with you.” Lily’s name entered her mind like an electric shock. Almost immediately a floodgate released a surge of emotions. Bitter thoughts jabbed painfully at her mind. Guilt, regret, anger, spite all swirled and swelled within her, determined to rob her of the happiness she felt just moments before. Painful memories unfolded in her mind. But this was a battle she’d fought before. And at length, she forced those dark thoughts back into their hole.
I took hold of her hand. “Lily’s here. She is well. She is OK.”
Then I reached into the depths of her memory and pulled out sweet remembrances—painful still, but sweet. She saw in her mind scenes of Lily: the joyful day she was born; her first smiles and laughs; how little Catherine loved doting on her; the way she loved playing peek-a-boo with Jack; the mess she made the first time she ate solid food; her first attempts at crawling; the way her little mouth hung open as she slept peacefully. A faint smile touched Angela’s face. I told her again that Lily was happy and well. I told her over and over again, while Lily continued to pat and kiss her cheek. The thought reverberated through her mind.
Slowly, imperceptibly, a new feeling began to grow inside her. That feeling which only heaven can grant, which can drive away grief and sorrow, and turn away fear. Peace. And it was to Angela as a warm quilt on a winter’s night. Tears began to pour from her eyes and collect on her pillow. I smiled at Lily, who was now kissing her mother excitedly. A soft hand touched my shoulder. I turned back to see Clairus, two teardrops resting on her smiling cheeks. With the briefest of nods she told me what I already knew—Lily’s time had ended.
I nodded, and then turned back to them. How I wished we did not have to separate them again! If only Angela could have come back with us and leave the mortal world forever. But it was not her time. Lily gave her one final embrace, one that must last until that day when nothing would ever separate them again. Then picking Lily up once more, we returned her to heaven.
* * *
Angela was quiet and withdrawn for the rest of the day, a mix of emotions flooding her thoughts. Her unexpected experience that morning left her uncertain what to think or feel. For so long she’d held firm to her bitterness that letting it go felt unnatural.
Justin and Kailey noticed their mother’s tractable behavior and readily took advantage of her, for which Avin and Viana were kept especially busy. Jack also perceived this change in Angela’s demeanor, though he made no comment to her about it. They were still avoiding unnecessary contact.
A noticeable silence hung over dinner. Not even the usually loquacious Kailey uttered a word. I almost wished Justin would launch some food at Catherine just to break the silence. At last, dinner ended and the family members went their separate ways. I continued to cling to Angela as much as she would let me. With a little persuasion I convinced her to take an evening walk. She’d been
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