by Dan Edmund
Chapter 36 - Paradise Complete!
The days past, the month ended, and it became the first day of the new month. Late that afternoon, I sat on the edge of our veranda, watching the sun dip past the horizon amidst a blaze of red and purple hues. Seconds later I saw it. I sprang to my feet.
"It's coming! It's coming!" I bellowed, although my parents were already standing by my side. Mesmerized, we stared in awe as it loomed ever larger, ever brighter against the twilight sky.
My father placed his arm around my shoulder. "Well, son, what are you waiting for?"
What indeed!
Therefore, the three of us scurried towards the village's center, where already a crowd had gathered, all waiting eagerly to see if tonight was their night to welcome another dearly departed one risen from the dead. Slowly, the Light continued down, by now already lighting up the entire sky for many miles around. I, like everybody else, was mesmerized by the sight. No matter how many times it was seen, it never lost its fascination. Finally, it was down, a blaze of white that permeated everything around. An opening appeared and one by one, and two by two, they entered into that wonderful Light.
My turn arrived, but I paused for just a brief moment before I also vanished into that mystical veil of the Light. With the expectations I already had, my emotions soared to incredible heights, higher than they had ever done before. I was lost in the realms of infinity, with swirls of color all around me. Then my consciousness turned towards Carlos, suspended upon a platform of light. He stared upwards, his arms outstretched, his entire body radiating a brilliant glow. He started the prayer, extolling the virtues of our Creator, and the blessings we had all been shown. His voice began to fade, and I felt myself being drawn into yet another vision. I stood at the edge of the plateau, the Light glowing down onto the village, and the familiar angel walking up towards me. He smiled at me and once more gently said: "Welcome to Paradise! Go and be amazed!"
The vision changed and I was now standing at the garden of the Resurrection Sanctuary, seeing the house suddenly being transformed from a Tudor house into the apartment we had in New York, exactly as in that strange lucid dream I had. Only this time, I did not see Harry, nor Thomas More. I only saw myself entering through the front door into our living room. Then again, I felt the nebulous presence of John. "Go to her, my friend. She is now here!"
I saw myself running up the stairs and on towards our bedroom. Then, exactly as in the dream, I flung the door open. And there she was on our double bed, fast asleep, but as beautiful as ever.
Then, as in the dream, the vision faded, only this time I found myself fully conscious within the Light. Everybody around me was still in some form of trance, all seemingly looking upwards as if beholding another vision of heaven. However, I had my own celestial message: "Go to her, my friend."
I made my way passed the still entranced crowd and out of the Light. Like a gazelle, I ran out of the village and onto the trail that led directly towards Anastasis. I stopped upon reaching the grassy plateau and glanced backwards. The Divine Light was still visible, exactly as I saw it in the vision within the Divine Light, as well as in my dream. Then, I saw John once more walking up the trail towards me, materializing, with a warm, gentle smile on his face. "Welcome to Paradise! Go and be amazed!" Then, as expected, he disappeared. I only hesitated for a moment, then continued to run. Soon I was passed the grassy plateau and into the forest. On and on I ran until finally I approached the enchanted gardens of the Resurrection Sanctuary. As always, the garden appeared as if manicured and sculptured by the finger of God. And there behind the garden was again that Tudor house, which as expected, transformed itself into our apartment at Morningside Heights.
I ran even faster, then flung open the front door. Then, as before, I felt the presence of John. Again, he declared: "Go to her, my friend. She is now here!"
I raced up the stairs and into our miraculously replicated bedroom that Jenny and I had once shared. My heart raced, my body trembled. And there she was, asleep, but even more beautiful than even in my vision and dream. For a second or two I basked in her glory: her long, golden hair, her rounded lips, her slender body nestled inside her snow-white robe.
"Oh, Jenny! Jenny!" I cried with delight.
She did not stir. I hurried to her bedside and knelt beside her, tenderly grasping one of her hands, then lifting it to my cheek. "Jenny," I whispered. "Jenny, wake up. It's me!"
Again she did not stir.
"Jenny!" I said louder.
Still nothing.
I now thought of myself as 'Prince Charming.' I lowered my head towards her and gently kissed my 'Sleeping Beauty.' Yet still, she did not stir. My kiss of life proved as futile as it had been vain. I instinctively felt for her pulse. None! I lowered the side of my head onto her bosom.
Nothing.
Her body felt warm, but the heart did not beat.
"Jenny! Jenny!" I yelled, shaking her shoulders. I called her name several more times, shaking her ever more vigorously, yet still nothing. Nothing!
NOTHING!
"My God! My God! Wake up! Wake up!" I now screamed, yet still she did not stir. I could not believe it. It simply could not be. What cruel trick by God could this be? For a moment, anger welled up inside of me, then I began to sob. I now pleaded to the Almighty, and Creator of all life, to give her life once more.
Then it happened: the miracle of life. An imperceptible stir of the head, then her hand. I prayed even harder and heard a groan, then another, and the spirit, the Divine 'breath of life,' had entered into her, and she was born anew.
She groaned again and rocked her head back and forth, but her eyes remained closed, seemingly still impervious to her surroundings. I cradled her head in my hands. "Jenny, it's me!" Suddenly, her closed eyelids twitched a couple of times, then she opened her eyes. She gazed at me but showed no sign of recognition. She shut her eyes again, then reopened them once more. I clasped her face even firmer. "Jenny, it's me!"
She stared intently for another few seconds, as if she was coming out of a very, very long and deep sleep. Her mouth then moved ever so imperceptibly. She tried to say something, but the words failed to come out. I now gently stroked her cheeks. "Jenny, wake up, wake up!" I pleaded.
Her mouth opened wider and I heard her inhale, a rasping inhalation, then faintly, ever so faintly she stammered, "Da... Da... Dav...id?"
"Yes! Oh yes, it's me! It's me!" I exclaimed in sheer delight, then thanked God with all my heart.
She continued looking at me as if still in a daze. She closed her eyes, then held them shut for a second or two, then reopened them once again. Her fingers now stroked my hair and then my entire face. "Da...David, you, you are -"
"ALIVE! Yes, I'm alive! And so are you!" I laughed, then added: "Welcome to Paradise!"
I laughed even harder, with tears of joy flowing down my face. We embraced, we laughed, and we cried with tears of unmitigated joy. Now, for all eternity, we were together at last, ready to enjoy all the wonders and fruits of Paradise!
