Renewed spirits on an Easter morning
The blond angel's eyes rested on the horizon and witnessed the dawning of the day from behind the green mountains. But the beautiful sunrise and the multitude of different colours playing on the now light blue sky, along with the singing of the birds and the first flowers that were starting to bloom around him, didn't manage to touch his soul like it usually did. At that moment, it seemed that none of God's creations managed to fill his heart with the familiar sense of joy and gratitude.
Despite the gentle sunrays that now caressed his handsome face, Andrew's green pools were tired. Yet, they didn't seek for a reason for the latest events. He knew it too well, as he had witnessed the same thing happening over and over again during the centuries of his existence. Being in charge of escorting God's children Home was always a privilege and an honour to him, but there were times this same duty brought him so much sadness that not even the wonders that surrounded him could make it go away. It was one of these days.
Sighing deeply, Andrew lowered his head and tucked his hands in his pockets, aware that in those woods only the sound of nature could reach his ears - he needed some solitude to cope with the fact that only a few hours earlier he had witnessed a father and a mother crying over their dead child. The little baby girl was nearly a year old and in spite of the doctors efforts, she hadn't resisted to the terrible pneumonia that had attacked her delicate little organism. The angel of death had to take the little one in his arms, and leave behind a desperate young couple who now would grieve for the rest of their life, imagining what their days would be like if their daughter had survived.
The little girl, initially lying lifeless on a neonatal ICU, now was smiling at him, greeting the presence of the angel of God who would take her suffering away. She enjoyed being in his arms, and as much as Andrew loved being around children, but now it hurt him terribly as he felt like a robber. He was stealing away those parents' opportunity to hold their baby, they were supposed to be doing this, not him. But once again, he knew that God works in mysterious ways and that His plan is perfect, so it was not him to judge what is right from wrong. He didn't have to like it all the time, though.
It was then that Andrew found a small object inside his pocket: a tiny silver chain, which he had given Angela when she was born. But now the smart little angel was growing stronger and her chubby arm required a longer chain, so he had kept it and promised that he would take it to a jewellery for adjustment. And it was that little object that made him realise why the death of a young baby had struck him so terribly bad - more than it usually did, which was already too hard for an angel to bear. Andrew was hurting not only for the little one, but for the parents, as now more than ever he could imagine the pain that that man and woman were feeling. Intense, sharp and cruel... leaving an emptiness that might never be filled again.
A gentle hand lay on his shoulder and in a second the atmosphere became warmer and involved with much love. He turned around and the image he could see now - God forbid, was a greater reminder of His everlasting love than the breathtaking scenario before his eyes. The beautiful Irish angel was now in human form like him. She was wearing a lilac turtleneck sweater, blue jeans and a pair of boots, and her auburn hair was cascading over her shoulders with large curls, shining with the sunlight reflected on them, making her glow like in her angelic form.
"I know there are hard times... and that you need some time for yourself, so if you want me to leave, I'll understand..."
He didn't say anything; just stepped forward and held her in his arms as if his own existence depended on it. As she returned the embrace with the same intensity, the angel of death closed his eyes against her hair, breathing in its sweet perfume. Her loving presence was possibly the best remedy to soothe the pain in his soul.
"I felt your sadness... it was so intense it brought me to tears, even though I didn't know why exactly. But I could sense where you were..." she said, never moving from his arms.
After some long moments, he broke the silence. "Love has many consequences, you know, angel. It's undeniable that it makes us see the world through different eyes and be aware of how blessed we are... But it can also bring so much sadness..." his voice was low and she could easily detect the strong emotion in it. It broke her heart.
"For some, it might hurt because they miss being loved... or because their love isn't corresponded. But for others, love hurts because the mere possibility to see those they love suffering sounds like a nightmare. Protectiveness, devotion and affection can do that, you know." Monica spoke, taking in all the sorrow emanating from his soul.
The angel of death finally pulled away and looked at her, searching for her sweet brown pools, a shelter from the storm that was taking place within him. He took her both hands and kissed their back. "I... suppose there's no cure for this..."
"Come with me?" she asked, wrapping her arms around one of his and gently guiding him through the woods. The two angels started a silent walk amongst the tall centenary trees and bushes spread along a narrow trail. Their footsteps against the dry leaves on the ground and the singing of the birds were the only sounds in that secluded part of the Earth. No words were exchanged between Monica and Andrew and they remained quiet for some time. The Irish angel was aware that deep inside his heart her beloved one was still processing the latest events and that eventually he would voice them to her.
Their ten minute walk ended up in a pond, in the middle of the woods. Its crystalline waters were even more transparent due to the sunrays that managed to cross the tree canopies and meet the still waters. There was an old fallen tree trunk on its bank and Monica pulled him to sit there next to her. As he did so, she rested her head over his shoulder, her arms remained wrapped up with his. And despite the pain in his heart, that closeness did manage to warm his soul. The two angels stood by the pond for a while, until he felt ready to speak.
"There were hard moments like this in the past, you know Monica. As devastating and heartbreaking. But I realise that it took a lot more time for my soul to heal then." After a short pause, he turned his eyes from the lake to look at her. "And do you know why?"
"I..."
"Because I didn't have you by my side. That's why every time the sun rises I look up at the sky and thank the Father for sending you to me. And when I thank Him, I'm not only thinking about the good, wonderful moments that we spend together... I'm also thinking about all those times when my soul is broken and then you appear to me... like a good dream."
Moved with the sincerity of his words, and the evident love she could see in his green pools, Monica lay a gentle hand against his handsome face. "My dear Andrew... If you only knew the great joy you bring to my heart just by being you..."
The blond angel reached up and stroked her face, fingertips touching her delicate skin as if touching delicate china. He crossed the distance between them and brushed his lips against hers, in a brief, soothing caress. Then he took her hand in both of his.
"Do you want to tell me what happened?" she asked, her soothing voice putting his soul at ease as the minutes passed by.
"My latest assignment was a little baby girl. She was as old as Angela."
Her eyes were immediately filled with tears at hearing that. "I'm so sorry..."
"She... passed away before the sunrise. When I took her in my arms, she smiled at me... She... She reminded me so much of Angela."
"Was it an accident?"
"No. She was ill... extremely ill..."
"Oh, Andrew... You know what you should have in mind then, don't you?"
"I do know. Her suffering had an ending. But what I can't forget is her parents crying when her little heart stopped. They were devastated, and I wondered if somehow I was contributing to this..."
Monica's eyes grew wide as she heard that. "You know this is not true!"
"It feels like..."
As his eyes came to rest on the pond, Monica reached out to stroke his short blond hair. "You have such a gentle and beautiful soul... That's why I love you so much. But you know that our loving Father is watching over this family, and that in His own good time, He will turn tragedy into something good."
"I know. But it still hurts, maybe because now more than never I can imagine what these people are feeling..."
"Then ask yourself what act of kindness you can do in memory of this little girl and her family's pain. Sometimes I imagine what the world would be like if human beings showed some generosity and compassion for their next every time they grieve..."
Andrew took those words to his heart and a few seconds later a slight, bittersweet smile appeared on his lips. He turned his face to look at her again. "I wonder what kind of world we would have if all human beings could feel as much blessed as I feel whenever I look at you."
She returned his shy smile with a loving on and Andrew wasted another moment before pulling her to his arms and holding her tightly. "I love you so much..." he whispered against her ear.
X
One week later...
The silence inside the Parkers' house gave the impression that there wasn't anybody home. But a closer look revealed a crying mother sitting on a bench, in the backyard. She had a small doll in her hands and stared at the object as if holding on to the memories it brought her. A young man soon appeared by the backdoor and it was possible to notice the exhaustion and sorrow deep inside his dark eyes. They were both suffering.
He walked up to the bench and sat down next to her, placing a gentle hand over her shoulder. "Annie, please, come inside."
"It's been a week she's gone, Jeff. We were supposed to be celebrating Easter with her today..."
The man sighed deeply. He didn't know what to say, as he too felt terrible at the absence of their only daughter. All of a sudden, however, someone did break the anguishing silence, and the young couple jumped at the voice that reached their ears.
"Time and God's love will soothe your pain, Mr and Mrs Parker."
They immediately rose to their feet and turned to face a tall blond man, who had appeared in their backyard out of nothing. At first they would think it was an intruder, but the beautiful glow around him and the peaceful atmosphere he brought with him told them that man wouldn't do any harm.
"Who... who are you?" Mr Parker wanted to know.
He gave a step forward. "My name is Andrew, and I'm an angel."
"An angel?" Annie eyed him in disbelief through the tears that never ceased.
"Yes. I have a message from God..." he spoke, and after a short pause, he added. "... and a personal message for both of you..."
"It's about our baby girl, isn't it?" Being two religious people, the man and his wife were immediately moved at the special and totally unexpected visit.
"Yes. Your daughter is now in God's arms, Mr Parker. And there, there's no pain, no fear. Only joy and much love, as she is His child just as you two are."
The young mother shook her head. "I miss her so much... I don't know if I can bear this pain... it's so intense..."
"God knows that. He grieves together with you, Mrs Parker. But He wants you to know that you won't be away from each other forever. One day, all His children will be reunited again, in a Home of infinite love."
"I know... We've always believed that, but what will we do until then?"
"You will grieve for a while, Mrs Parker, as suffering is part of any creature's life." Andrew replied, "And every day this feeling will be less powerful than it was on the day before. But you'll be able to face it if you hold on to the love that first brought you two together. Your love is a blessing too, and God granted it to you so that you can face hard moments like these."
Moved with emotion, the young couple looked at each other and Jeff reached for Annie's hand. "I promise before God that I'll treasure it for the rest of my life."
"Me too... And I know you've been suffering as much as I am, even though you're trying to hold it inside in order to keep me standing, Jeff..."
He held her in his arms and Andrew smiled, glad to witness that scene. "I have something else to tell you. I was sent here exactly today for a reason... Besides the love of a man and a woman, every child is a blessing too, and God wants you to know that you've been blessed for a second time, Mrs Parker. For in your womb there is another life being formed."
The couple looked at each other in disbelief, "What?"
"It's still very little and so fragile! But it'll grow stronger, in a loving home, with loving parents."
"You... you mean... I'm pregnant?"
"Yes, Mrs Parker. And this child will live and grow to make a difference in this world. The little sister that he never got to meet will inspire him to become a great doctor and save many lives... Many babies will be granted with a new chance to live thanks to him."
As Jeff and Annie held each other with tears of joy and emotion falling from their eyes, the blond angel disappeared. Now his assignment was really accomplished.
X
"...and then the wee turtle kept on walking in the forest until she met her friend, the giraffe! Oh, hullo, Giraffe!"
The gentle morning sunrays were entering through the window of the cabin, illuminating its interior and making it warm and cozy for the three angels who were staying in there. From the kitchen, it was possible to hear a happy humming. With a permanent smile upon her face, Tess administered Easter lunch and some chocolate cookies in the process of being made inside the stove. And judging by the smell that was spread along the rooms of the pretty cabin lost among the woods, they were all delicious.
Upstairs, in Angela's cute lilac and white bedroom, Monica had spent the last hour sitting on the carpeted wooden floor and telling stories to a cute little baby girl, using her stuffed turtle, giraffe and frog as characters. Angela kept on paying attention to every single action and word that her mom did or said, and once in a while raised her little head to look at Monica with a smile that would melt even the hardest of the hearts.
The Irish angel had offered to help Tess prepare lunch for that sunny (yet chilly) Easter Sunday but the old supervisor had "kindly" shoved her out of the kitchen and told her to spend some time with her little daughter instead. And truth to be told, the moments Monica spent together with the little one were precious and she kept each of them inside her heart.
While Angela's chubby hands held the small giraffe, Monica took the turtle and made it walk until it finally "met" her long-necked friend. Then, chuckling at the baby's amusement, the Irish angel made a second voice in order to reply the "giraffe's" greeting. "Oh, hullo, miss turtle! Where are you going on such a lovely day?"
The little one giggled when her mom made the two stuffed toys move, as if they were really talking with each other, and the sound filled not only Monica's heart with joy, but also Andrew's. He had been standing right next to the bedroom door for the latest minute and watching with eyes moved with emotion as his two precious treasures interacted with each other. And with his daughter's laughter, he couldn't help but to step forward, feeling the need to join them.
"Hey! Looks like a certain little angel is having a real nice Easter morning along with her friends and her pretty mom!" he said, and both turned their heads to look at him, greeting the blond angel with a broad smile upon their faces.
"Oh, look, wee one! It's your daddy!" Monica exclaimed, feeling secretly happy that Andrew would spend that beautiful day along with them.
Andrew joined them on the carpeted floor and placed the shopping bag he was carrying right next to him. Then he took his little angel in his arms and, marvelled at her smile back at him, he kissed her rosy cheeks repeatedly. "Oh, how I missed this cute little angel of mine!" he said, receiving another small giggle in reply. When he placed her back on the floor, the blond angel turned to look at her mother, "She and her equally cute mom, which also happens to be mine!"
Smiling, she returned his loving gaze. "Oh, but for this wee one and me this Easter Sunday is quite special already now that someone we love very, very much is here with us!" she replied, bending her head to receive a loving peck on the lips.
"Well, I hope you two gorgeous ladies like these little gifts I brought..."
He reached for the bag and first took a small stuffed rabbit inside of it. Angela's curious eyes watched as he made the little toy jump towards her. "Hey, little Angela! I'm Mr Rabbit! Can I play with you and your friends too?" he spoke, touching her little nose with the fluffy toy. And to her parents' joy, she smiled and grabbed the object with both hands, visibly happy with that new "friend".
"Hum... I guess our wee angel likes Mr Rabbit!" Monica saw as Andrew took another pack from inside the bag: it was a heart shaped box of chocolates.
"And I hope her mom likes it..."
"Andrew!"
Her excited voice made him chuckle. "And all of them are filled with coffee!"
"Oh, they taste wonderfully!" she said, looking at the beautiful box.
"I know!" there was something mischievous in his reply, and she didn't miss his gaze at her, and his equally mischievous smile.
Highly amused, and slightly blushed, she returned his gaze at her. Aiming her lips, Andrew crossed the small distance between them, but before they shared another loving kiss, a sound caused their hearts to jump.
"Mummy!"
Monica and Andrew immediately turned their heads to look down at little Angela, and saw her gazing up at them with a broad smile and curious green eyes.
"Angela? Sweetie... did... did you just speak...?" the Irish angel didn't know what to say.
Andrew was as surprised as she was. "Honey, did you just call your mommy?"
And after a small giggle, Angela surprised them again. "Daddy!"
"Oh, goodness gracious, Andrew! She can speak!"
"Yes, she can! Our little angel can speak!"
Moved with emotion, he took Angela in his arms and they filled her rosy cheeks with lots of kisses, now listening as she repeated the two simple words that melted their hearts.
Tess didn't miss their excited voices and also went upstairs to know what was going on.
"But what's so funny? I can hear you down in the kitchen!" she said, looking at them with eyebrows raised.
"Tess, our wee one! You have no idea what she's just done!" the Irish angel announced, she and Andrew rising to their feet with the little one in her father's arms.
"What is it for heaven's sake?!" the supervisor anxiously wanted to know. And before they could say something else, Angela surprised them once again.
" 'Tie Tess!"
"Oh, baby! My angel baby girl can speak! Yes, you can speak, can't you?" The oldest angel's eyes were immediately filled with joy as she heard Angela's baby voice, "Aw, come here with your auntie Tess! Let me hold my little angel girl!"
And she wasted no time in taking her in her arms and, like her parents had done before, she kissed those rosy cheeks again and again. Shedding some tears of happiness, Monica looked at her beloved Andrew and he placed an arm around her shoulders, brining her closer to him in a warm embrace. He kissed her temple lovingly.
"I'm so happy, angel... Just so happy..." the angel of death whispered, while baby's giggles filled the air on that blessed Easter Sunday.
X
Darkness had already fallen upon that secluded part of the Earth. Inside the cabin the only source of light were the flames dancing in the fireplace, in the cosy living room. With a happy smile, Monica had been sitting opposite the fire and had just finished to drink a mug of mocha. She placed it over the coffee table in front of her, where also lay a half empty chocolate box. The Irish angel heard footsteps coming down the stairs and a second later, Andrew joined her on the sofa.
"Assignment accomplished?" she asked, not missing the spark of joy in his eyes.
The blond angel nodded with a smile, "Little angel sleeping peacefully in her bedroom!"
"She had quite a busy day!"
"I can't remember kissing her so much like we did today!" as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, Monica inched closer to him, resting her head upon his chest and listening to his steady heartbeats.
"I think the emotions of the day did manage to make you feel better..."
Andrew placed a stray piece of hair behind her ear, tenderly caressing her meek face. "I'd say this is what we're celebrating today, right? The chance to renew our soul... As sad as it can be, things have an end. But they have a beginning too, and this new journey can bring so much joy and so many wonderful things..."
"I'm so happy to hear it from you..."
He returned her smile and brushed a gentle kiss against her forehead.
"Do you know what'll never end, angel?" Andrew spoke after some minutes of pleasant silence.
Monica tilted her head to look up at him in a way he'd always found especially endearing. "What?"
"My love for you!" Andrew whispered against her ear, and then brushed another kiss against her cheek, enjoying to see as her smile grew wider. Then he added, "And I'm wondering if those chocolates still taste as good as they did the last time I tried them!"
Narrowing her eyes, she inched a bit closer, "There's only one way to find it out, you know?"
A second later, he brushed his lips against hers, in a sweet and tender kiss. The silence of the night was only broken by the cooing of a white dove that flew over that pretty cabin up in the mountains and lost in the woods, on a peaceful Easter Sunday.
To be continued