Short Stories

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Michaels Farewell

Tears freely flowed down his parents face as they looked upon his unmoving, almost unrecognizable body lying in the casket. Undeniable grief and deep pain etched their faces. This was wrong, children were supposed to bury their parents, not the parents bury their child. His mother reached and clutched his ice-cold hand as she cried. The Bible that his hands rested upon seemed a mockery, an injustice to all the rage that she felt towards Yahweh for permitting this to happen. Heart broken over the death of her young son and angry towards Yah, she felt as if her life was out of control. In this living nightmare, she could not understand her husband and found herself even incensed with his reaction and seemingly calm acceptance of Michael’s death. He even had the audacity to state that Yahweh had a definite reason and purpose in allowing Michael to die. He also pointed out the good that had already come from Michael dying and the life of so many others that had been saved through the donation of his organs. But in her anguish, she could not fathom what plausible purpose there could be or focus on these lives saved, only on the fact that she wanted her son alive.

At home that night, she screamed and cried at Yahweh for His injustice. She had been faithful to Yah, had entrusted her life and that of her child to Him, unwavering in her conviction that Yahweh would always watch over and protect her child. Michael had accepted Yahshua at a young age, and although he went through many trials and temptations, always stood steadfast in his relation with The Father. He was a good child, one that many parents wanted for themselves and an example to many of his friends and associates. Now he was dead. It was not fair, for he was so good and yet, so many others that were living against Yahs’ will were still alive. Bitterness raged through her veins like vile. The days before his funeral passed in a haze of anger, grief and unbelief.

Michael’s funeral was colossal. The turn out was amazing for just one young boy. Every seat was filled and many crammed into the isles and even along the walls. Again, Michael’s mother thought of how unfair it was for one who was so loved and touched so many lives to be snatched away so abruptly and senselessly. As the pastor approached the pulpit, there was an unmistakable sense of sorrow in his demeanor. He was visibly weeping as he prepared for the memorial service. It took several attempts before he could clear his throat in order to speak. As he started to speak, he slowly walked over to Michael’s coffin and then immediately stopped. It seemed as if he had froze as he looked upon Michael’s body. He asked Michael’s parents to come up to him. As they approached, they too, seemed to freeze in shock as they looked upon Michael. In his hands, neatly laying under his hand upon his Bible was his favorite cd-the one he had about worn out listening to, with a simple note saying “please play.” They knew that it had not been there earlier.

With shaking hands, Michael’s father reached for the cd and slowly, tearfully placed it in the church’s’ player. Awe encircled and circumscribed the entire congregation as they heard Michael’s youthful voice speaking amidst a background of the most beautiful music and singing.

Mom, Dad, family and friends, since I was so abruptly and unexpectedly called from this life, Yahweh allowed me to say farewell to you. I know that the majority of you, including you Mom and Dad, wonder how and why this tragedy had to happen. Mom, I have seen your raw pain and the anger you have had towards Yahweh for allowing this to happen. I see how your faith has been shaken and how you feel abandoned and deceived by Him. How your trust in Him to always watch over and protect me from harm has been shattered. Mom, Dad, everyone please listen closely to what I have to say. Yahweh looked ahead and saw that I would be misled down the wrong path that would someday lead me away from Him. In His love and mercy, he could not allow that to happen. In order to protect me and assure my place in Heaven with Him, he intervened and took me away from Earth before I could so foolishly take that wrong turn in my path. It was through His love and yes Mom, in answer to your prayer that He protected me from the destruction that lay ahead. I know that many of you have experienced the loss of someone very young like me, someone who seemed to have a good life to look forward to, things to accomplish, but, I promise you, that none of the losses have been in vain. There are some like me that would have someday taken the wrong pathway, some that would have ended up living in nightmarish conditions, and others that were ill and suffering, or would become ill. Each and every one of us was looked upon with compassion and taken out of the world sooner. Mom, I know you have questioned why it had to be someone like me when there are so many sinners still living. Through my death, I was saved and guaranteed my place in Heaven, but the others are also Yahs’ children, and in His benevolence, He is allowing them to live in the hope that they too, will come to know and serve Him, and establish their places in His Kingdom. The purpose of my sudden death was to make sure that my eternal home would be with Him. The good that came out of my untimely death is that I will be able to spend eternity with you, for our time apart is only like a grain in the sand when compared to eternity. Dad, I am so proud and thankful to you for your wisdom. You knew and understood that my earthly body was just a vessel that was no longer needed and would just turn back to dust. Even in your sorrow, you had empathy towards others and allowed for my organs to be used in order to preserve other lives. Unknowingly to you, there is a greatness that will come from some of these lives and/ or their generations to come that would not have happened if you had not given so generously. Our separation is only temporary. I love you all and will be with you again. So for now, farewell.

Love, Michael

Kathleen Ann Shelton

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