TheBanyanTree: A Day in the Life of an Angel

[Sharon Mack]

Written to prompt 1/28/04:  Write a journal entry as if you were someone
else, somewhere else....(for another workshop)

By Sharon Atherholt Mack

********

February 5, 2004
Wednesday (Earth Time)

Sometimes if we are lucky and catch a falling star or see a new one
rising we can peer down among the clouds from out of the crystal sea and
watch those we left behind.  I am not lucky!  Wasn't even before I
came here, but today I was.  

I do not often express my emotions, but as I caught that wayward star
and held it in my hand, I began to tremble.  From earth's view, these
were of a tremendous size, but here in Heaven, they are but a mite.  No
matter, it was still a beautiful thing to behold.  I took the little
misfit to my Father and as he took it gently from my hand he nodded his
head toward the water's edge.  My joy was hard to conceal.  He smiled
a knowing smile.  I almost wept.

As I made my way to the water's edge, I actually felt the sands
beneath my feet.  They felt soft and warm, almost powdery.  I thought
about my days on earth and how grainy the sand had been to the touch.  I
don't often remember things about my stay on earth but every now and
then a memory pops up. I like when that happens because it's always a
good one.  There are no bad memories allowed up here.

I gathered my robes together and held them close to my legs just like
I'd seen my brothers and sisters before me do it.  The waters closed
around me taking me under.  At first I felt frightened but as the beauty
of the sea surrounded me I let go of all my inhibitions.  I swam to the
center and there in the whirling mist of the sea I saw a great window
open.  

There at her desk sat my daughter.  Her head was bent over her keyboard
and she was typing furiously.  Her hair was very white.  I sensed the
essence of what she was writing and moved my face closer to the window. 
I wanted to be able to see what held her attention so.  Finally after
much concentration, I could read her writing clearly.  This was so
wonderful I almost lost what I had gained.   I stopped watching for a
moment and worked hard at keeping my mind centered and on the task at
hand.  At last I managed to get everything under control again and  I
began to read those precious words.  

As I read, a tear slipped from my eye and washed into the sea.  She was
writing about our dances....about the times we danced when she was a
small girl and I a young man.  My memories bounced around frantically in
my mind.  I wanted to savor them.  I shut my eyes and saw them
clearly....as though I were there again.  I saw her mother, my lovely
young wife.  I wanted to reach out and touch them but as I moved my
hand, the lovely memories disappeared into the archives of my soul.

I watched as she typed  the last of her words onto the page.  She laid
her head back on her chair.  She sighed and I saw her smile and heard
her say, "Hi, Daddy!"  She waved her hand upwards and I knew she
knew that I was there with her.  "I love you Daddy."  A tear rolled
down her cheek.

I love you, too darling girl," I whispered and then the image was
gone.  The window closed.  I felt my robes being swept upwards and
toward the shallows.  Exhausted, I crawled out onto the shore and the
great and wonderful light met my eyes.  I rested and smiled into the
Heavens and knew all was well with my child.  


Wilson Price Atherholt
Saint First Class