Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Friend (11/02/17)
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TITLE: The Best Friend | Previous Challenge Entry
By LeslieJean Anderson
11/09/17 -
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I know it was this time of year when Papa died. I always feel your sadness when the leaves get yellow and the air gets nippy. I was also his friend, so I miss his company too.
I knew he was going away before you did. When the house was quiet and I was sleeping by his sick bed, I could see angels gathering around him. I understood what they were saying. They were getting ready to take him somewhere. But I couldn’t tell you.
There are many things I can’t tell you. It’s not my job. My job is to stay near you. To protect you if I can. To keep you company as the long, lonely days roll by. To share my favorite cookies with you as we sit together in Papa’s rocking chair. To let you know that as for me, I will never, ever leave you – not until my time on earth is over and the angels come for me too.
Oh, I know I used to run away when I was little, but that was just a game. I had my eye on you and Papa the whole time you were chasing me. It was one way to get your attention. But you knew I was not leaving you because when I saw you get in the car, I would come running, lickety-split. I wanted to be with you, especially if it meant a ride in the car.
But I know now that being your special friend is what I was born to do. I was given that commission by the Creator. He knew that humans would need closeness and love and protection, but that often they do not get it from their own. So we are His agents, created to fill that gap. We do especially well with children and old people who are prone to loneliness.
You were younger when you and Papa found me, but I know you feel old now. Maybe that’s what makes you sad sometimes. But you’re not too old to take a walk, so I do insist we do that every day. You always seem to feel better when we do. So, like two old friends, we walk along the sidewalk together. The fresh air and the sunshine always lifts your spirits. I think the Creator would be pleased at how I help you feel better.
I bet you’d be surprised to know I understand about the Creator. Only humans struggle to learn about Him. The rest of nature knows. Obedience is never a question with us. It is so curious that humans ignore Him, and argue with each other about Him. We don’t understand your confusion, but our job is to accept our humans without judgement. Judgement is up to Him, not us. We just try to reflect His love in your life.
Maybe obedience would be easier for you if you could see His angels and other beings of light, like I can. When Papa was sick, I would watch them and sometimes bark out of excitement. I’d get scolded, usually, but the angels would smile at me. They knew my mission and they’d sometimes speak to me.
“You’re doing a good job, Friend,” they’d say to me in the special language we share. That would always make me happy. Then when Papa joined them, I watched him hover around you for a long time. He spoke to me too, and told me some ways I could help you. Sometimes he comes to visit, and that makes me very happy. But you can’t seem to see him. If you could, you’d be happy too. He is not sick anymore.
But you still feel abandoned. I understand how that makes you feel sad. All I can do is to show love the only way I know – by staying at your side so you won’t feel so alone. That is what I was created to do.
And when the sun gets a little lower, I will insist we go on a walk. Maybe we will see that neighbor and you will smile again. I know that will make Papa happy. And me too.
736 words This story is creative nonfiction.
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