The Heavenly Heart (29 page)
Read The Heavenly Heart Online
Authors: Jackie Lee Miles
First, I’ve got to find Pete.
NINETY-FIVE
The Golden Window
Pete’s right where I figured. He’s waiting for me in my window. The smile on his face is wider than the Mississippi. His hair and beard are whiter than I remember. I hope I’m not the one who’s aged him. Maybe there have been others as difficult as me.
“I made it, Pete! I really made it!” I call out. “I’m ready. Can you believe it? And I think I found the answer!”
“And what did you find, dear child?” Pete says, and climbs into my window.
I plop down next to him and hug his arm. “I think the reason I was born was so others could live.”
Pete nods his head. “Not only so those that have your organs could live, Lorelei, but so that many others might not die.”
“Huh?”
“Your driving had more of an impact on your peers than you ever imagined,” Pete explains. “And did you notice that train crossing now has crossing gates and warning lights? If someone doesn’t hear the trains, now they’ll see the gates and flashing lights.”
Suddenly I realize something else.
“What about the lives I took?”
“Ah, yes, the train accident,” Pete says. “Well, some you saved from a worse fate. For others, their time was up. And for those causing much sorrow all around them, their chance to cause more sadness was cut short.”
“Still—”
“Your life was a blessing, Lorelei, regardless of the fact that it was flawed. And your heart was filled with goodness. What a lovely earthly heart you had, my child. And God looks on hearts!”
“So, you’re saying I’m okay? My life was alright, even though—”
“I’m saying your life was exactly what it was meant to be. Had you been doing the designing and chose to have it continue, well, you saw that outcome for yourself. Paige and Annalise would have lost their lives.”
Pete climbs out of my window and motions for me to join him.
“So, you’re ready?”
I nod that I am!
He wraps his arms around me. “Dear Lorelei,” he says. “How I shall miss you.”
“And I’ll miss you,” I say, “and all this, too.” I throw my arms out and point to the windows and realize the Silver Lining’s nowhere in sight.
“You took it down?”
Pete nods. “Never again,” he says, and we laugh. The music we made the first day I got here surrounds us again. I twirl around and around. I’m ecstatic. I know where I’m going. And I’m ready to go!
“Oh Pete,” I say. “Will I see you up above?”
Pete’s eyes are filled with tears. “You won’t need me there, Lorelei. I promise you that.”
I believe his words. I believe each and everything he’s told me. But I can’t help myself. My tears are all over the place.
“Oh Pete,” I say, “I’m really going to miss you! I am! And I’ll always need you! Always!
“Then I’ll be with you in your heart,” he says.
“My heart?”
Yes, dear child, your heavenly heart,” Pete says. “It will be with you for all eternity. It will hold more love and goodness than you ever thought was possible.”
Pete takes my hand. “Are you ready?”
I nod that I am. I wipe my tears and dab at my nose. We walk arm and arm to the Step of Discovery. I place one foot on the first step. A tingle
runs
through my body. I’m electrified with joy. I fly up the remaining steps just like I’ve got wings.
“Pete,” I say, and turn to say goodbye
But Pete’s already far away in the distance. He has one arm extended. The light around his fluffy head of hair glows like a platinum halo. I feel surrounded by his presence, surrounded by his love.
Every piece of my memory is gone. My mind is as clear and clean as the air that I’m breathing. Only one thought remains. It’s a memory of when I was five. I’m sitting on my father’s lap. A brilliant tunnel of light embraces this memory.
“What do you think love is, Lorelei,” my father asked me.
I placed my arms around him and hugged him tight.
“It’s when your heart skips a beat and your eyelashes go up and down, and little stars come out of you, Daddy,” I answered.
This memory wraps itself around my soul like ribbons on a present. I’m completely transformed. The tunnel of light shines even brighter. The voice of my father calls out to me. It’s richer and warmer and more soothing than I recall it ever being. The door above me opens. But it’s not my earthly father who’s been calling out to me. It’s not my earthly father who is standing there to meet me. It’s Him. And just like Pete said, he’s wearing jeans!
Welcome home, my child,” he says, and wraps me in his arms. “Welcome home, at last.”
EPILOGUE
I learned a lot in life. I learned even more since I had one. Of course, I know that life on earth and what we do with it can make a difference, but so can death! So, I finally gave up on earth, I mean I let go of it.
But let me tell you—if you are doing your best—don’t you
ever
fear death. And if you have loved ones that have gone on before you, well all I can say is: Sure life has lots to offer, but the hereafter is out of this world! They’re being well taken care of, I’m telling you.
One more thing—don’t forget to donate your organs. You’re not going to need them up here.
T HE E N D
If you would like to register as an organ donor please contact the
United Network for Organ Sharing
(UNOS).
Mailing Address
United Network for Organ Sharing
Post Office Box 2484
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Street and Package Delivery Address
United Network for Organ Sharing
700 North 4
th
Street
Richmond, Virginia
Phone Numbers
UNOS Headquarters (804) 782-4800
Patient Services (888) 894-6361
Web Site Address
Table of Contents
Table of Contents