"But
why must they have to deal with THAT?"
"Because
that is the master plan. It will help them to grow and develop."
"But
I love them so. I hate to see the frustration and pain they are going through.
For goodness sake, I diapered her and raised her from her first day on
Earth. I nursed her through chicken pox, measles, her first date. I made
her dress for her Senior Prom...She was so lovely. And no mother could
have wanted a finer daughter. Why must she now learn to hate and despise
me for what I have become?"
"Don't
worry, dear. It isn't as bad as all that. There is a much bigger picture
here. Think about it, and the truth of it will be given to you."
She
remained silent for a moment and just stood with him, marveling at the
scene before her. He waited patiently beside her, unhurried, letting her
grasp the situation as best she could.
She
watched the empty shell that had held her for a lifetime. It was old and
wrinkled. The years showed with every movement. She was surprised that
there was any life left in the old shell at all, for precious little of
what she had become had been allowed to remain behind.
"Will
she be able to do it?" she asked.
"Certainly--you
have raised her well. Look..."
They
watched again in silence as the daughter brought a simple cup of water
to the old shell of a woman and helped her to drink. It went well, slowly
at first, as the tentative daughter searched for the correct flow rate
to prevent choking. Afterward, the daughter saw a brief glint of recognition...just
for a moment, but it was enough. She hugged the old lady, not really comfortable
doing it, but not resisting the urge as she usually did. Then she returned
to the kitchen and dropped into a chair at the family table. She looked
so tired. She ached in every muscle. Her eyes were tired from lack of sleep.
Her nerves were frazzled from another long night of vigilance.
"Can
she handle it? It seems so hard."
"It
is hard, my dear, but she will grow from it. She will not only become a
better person, but her marriage will be strengthened, the children will
see her care for you and their respect for her will grow in a very special
way. It may be hard to see at first, but it is an opportunity that few
receive. The entire family will grow closer and learn to deal with even
greater obstacles as a result of this time spent in caring for your temple."
"I
think I am beginning to understand. Now I know what you meant about a greater
curtain lifting as that one fell. I think I am ready."
She
took one last look at her daughter, and blew her a silent kiss, before
turning away and walking on to her next horizon with her guardian angel
at her side. She WAS ready, and she knew her daughter was ready, too.
Used
with permission of the author
Copyright
(c) Steven C. Stoker
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