She sat there looking at him, her color indicating she was relaxed and happy. He reached out and plucked a dandelion blossom from a plant that hadn't been there ten minutes ago. Accepting her treat, Melina continued to watch Andrew's face.
"You feel much better now, don't you Pretty Girl. You fought the good fight, but it was time for you to come be with us. We'll help you find others who lived with Neil ... Time to meet some friends of mine!"
... and at that very moment several cats arrived with questioning looks on their faces, followed by some dogs, and other creatures she had never before seen.
"Andrew, what's going on? Why have you brought us? Did we miss something? Who just arrived? There's no one on the clover tuffet? What's that on your lap?" All of their voices at once, and yet he heard each one. Melina looked at the odd assortment of animals who had mysteriously appeared out of nowhere, all of whom she understood in their own languages, and all of whom seemed especially interested in treats being pulled out of his pockets.
"Meet Melina! She's a bearded dragon who had been rescued, but not in time to save her life. Your mama again is the common denominator. She met Neil on the "writie box" as you call it, and was touched by Melina's story. Gus and Cody, your Boy (who is now grown with his own family) has a dragon!"
"So she's here with us now? Won't she be lonesome without other dragons" asked Misty, who stuck her nose in Melina's face.
"I'm afraid of dragons" whined Molly, who was not bouncing about as she usually did.
"There's nothing to be afraid of here, you know that. The fox kits play with the fawns all the time. And while she'll not EAT one, there are plenty of butterflies here to chase! And you'll have fun with Melina, she's able to run and climb trees but will always appreciate a warm spot to nape in ..."
"That would be me, of course,' offered Maggie, who loved to nap in the sun, and often had one critter or another snuggled up to her soft tummy fur.
"Melina, people who were supposed to care for you did not. Neil managed to rescue you and had hopes you would heal, but the disease had already taken all your strength. He grieved so. But, our Creator knows when it is time for animals, or people, or even plants and trees to accept His gift of life forever after. He sent you to us, rather than let you suffer any longer.
A long time ago, God got mad at the way humans where destroying the beautiful world He created for them to live in, and in that anger, washed everything living off of the earth. There was only a huge boat filled with two of each kind to repopulate after everything dried off.
He promised those who believe in Him that he would never do that again, and put a rainbow in the sky as a symbol of that promise. Other angels and I greet the animals who come to the Bridge, and see to it that all their needs are met. When the people who had lived with those animals come to Heaven, they are reunited with all who have come before."
"But how do they know ..." Melina looked sadly at Andrew.
"Sweet girl, our Creator knows when even the tiniest bird falls. All have places here in heaven. The wild life who didn't live with people are here too. Our Father's house has many rooms."
"He says that a lot" said a funny little cat with folded ears. "We've figured out some of it and the rest we just don't worry about, well, because there's just nothing to worry about here!!"
Andrew rose, with Melina safely in his arms, and all of them faded in the mist ...
.... only to appear again at the end of a beautiful bridge made of every color of the rainbow. Many more animals had assembled, knowing there would be a newcomer. Even the fish in a gourd of water! They were all looking up at Andrew in anticipation. The animals who had been with Andrew and Melina hopped off the bridge.
"Now is when you accept all that the God promised you! Accept by jumping down from the Bridge!"
Melina looked down at the sea of faces all turned her way, welcoming smiles on their faces. She saw birds arriving and perching in trees, or on deer antlers, or whatever (or whomever) was handy. She looked up at Andrew, speaking finally ... "I am afraid..."
With that, Cody moved closer and said "Slide off onto my back! I'm a good landing pad!
She took one last look at Andrew's face, at his smile, and the eyes that told her all of this was real, held her breath, and slid ... plop!
As the others crowded around her, everyone chattering at once as usually happened, he marveled again at these creatures God had made. All so very different, all so fascinating. Sometimes he wished he wasn't ...
"Now Andrew" chided Miss Pepper ...but you have ALL of us. Had you been human, only a few of us."
As Andrew faded from sight he sighed, smiling. What a wonderful thing to be an angel!
©Rose Scott
9/11/24
again is the "common denominator"
No comments:
Post a Comment