As my dream continued, and I walked alone after leaving Linda at The House of Mourning, I yearned to see her again. I keep looking back as Linda’s place of final rest becomes smaller with each step. We went through so much together, but now I only see one set of footprints behind me.

 

I am very tired, but could I sleep? My whole life has been taking care of Linda. What am I now to do?

 

The road ahead seems endless. The silence is deafening. Linda and I had so many conversations together on our journey. Now all I can do is think the words. She is not here to share them with me.

 

It is difficult putting one foot in front of another. Even though I had to carry Linda in the final moments, the burden without her seems greater.

 

As I stopped and looked ahead, I could see what appeared to be a beautiful garden. A faint breeze brought with it the fragrance of roses, the very flowers Linda loved more than any other.

 

As I continued to walk, I noticed more and more flowers. There were more than I have ever seen, in any garden, in all my life. The variety took me aback when I looked at what was more beautiful than any picture could show. This was a garden created by the greatest artist of all, God. It stretched as far as my eyes could see. Why wasn’t there anyone else enjoying its beauty? I did, however, notice one lone figure walking slowly toward me.

 

As he slowly approached, he reached out his hand and introduced himself as the caretaker. He asked if I would like to sit down and rest for a while. I nodded in appreciation when acknowledging his offer of kindness, and we walked together toward a bench nestled next to a bed of roses more beautiful than any I have ever seen. Linda would have loved this place. If only she could enjoy it with me.

 

“Are you tired?” he asked. “Yes,” I replied. “I have been traveling for so long with little rest. You see, my wife has been sick and I am now on my way home without her. I left her at a place called The House of Mourning.”

 

There was something different about the gentleman. He had a quiet demeanor as he looked into my eyes, and it was as if he knew the pain Linda and I went through together. “Ah, yes,” he said, “The House of Mourning. We have quite a few people come here after visiting it. You see, this is a place that offers hope.”

 

As I looked around, I mentioned how much Linda would have enjoyed being here. “You see”, I said, “Linda was, and still is, the flower of my life. She was the rose I held close to my heart.” The kindly gentleman replied, “Yes, I know. I have been waiting for you.”

 

He now held out his hand to shake mine and said he needed to go back to work, but assured me that everything was going to be alright. “Please rest for a minute, I think you will be pleased with what you are about to see.”

 

He then slowly walked towards the inner part of the garden and vanished from sight. I wondered what he meant. “What is this place?” “Why am I the only one in a garden with a beauty beyond anything I have ever seen?”

 

As I looked up at the beautiful crisp blue sky, I could see two small black dots growing in the distance. Two birds were flying in perfect harmony, and they were coming in my direction.  There was a rare elegance and beauty in the way they flew side by side.

 

I could not take my eyes away from what I now realized were two doves, which soon slowly rested on the fence just a few feet from where I stood. I didn’t move because I didn’t want to frighten them, but they were perfectly still as they looked directly at me. I slowly walked toward them, but they didn’t move. Since I was now within arm’s length, I reached out, and to my surprise, they both rested on my arm and were not frightened. This truly was a very unusual place, and there was a feeling of peace beyond words.

 

With my other hand, they allowed me to stroke their backs. It was as if they were letting me know that what I was seeing was not just two birds, but something far more. “What is happening?” “Why am I in this place?” “What does this all mean?”

 

The two doves were now showing signs of restlessness, so I slowly stretched out my arm, and they rested on the fence once again. Their wings were now moving as if letting me know they could not stay.

 

I slowly moved back a few feet, and both doves quickly took off in perfect harmony. I watched as they flew in what was at first a small circle.

 

I found myself captivated as I watched the two lone doves fly higher and higher. Soon, the small space between them grew in slze. It was as if they knew their flight was heading in two different directions. It was striking to watch the stark blue sky outline a scene so peaceful, and yet so sad. There was something about seeing what seemed to be a perfectly harmonious relationship come slowly to an end.

 

Just then, the caretaker of the garden stood next to me. “Amazing, isn’t it?” he asked. “God has perfect harmony in His creation, yet within His divine purpose, He sometimes has to take away and add to it.” I slowly looked at him as I began to realize where I was.

 

As I looked up once again, the two doves had become mere specks, and the space between them had widened. There was little doubt they were going their separate ways.

 

The kindly caretaker put his hand on my shoulder and said, “Richard, you know what you just saw don’t you? You see, I know it is hard to let Linda go, but it has to happen. Linda will be in God’s Kingdom. It may seem you are far apart for now; but I assure you that even though these two doves have gone their separate ways, they will find each other again. So it is with you and Linda. You will see one another again, but you will be separated for a short season.”

 

As I looked at the caretaker, the tears streamed down my face. “Thank you,” I said. “I now know why I am here.”

 

As the caretaker walked back to the garden, I could no longer see the two doves. Now that Linda and I were separated, Linda was free from the pain and suffering endured for so long. We were like the two doves, and God had provided Linda freedom from pain. Thankfully, our paths will cross again.

 

God, please bring your Kingdom so families and loved ones can be reunited. Death is so painful, and you are the only hope.

 

I now walk this journey alone, but I live for the day when I will see Linda again.