Episode 2 – The Funeral
There it comes; daylight breached the darkness to cast out tomorrow's first strays of light. The birds played in the meadows; so did the sheep and cattle too. The morning came higher yet; the cold sun tried to warm all about, including the family Mulligan's collective hearts.
The day was biting cold; a bitter wake that cursed all that moved. Smoke and shadows; mist and sprinkles came from all who breathed to exhale. Still; little Daniel did not move. There were no shadows and smoke and mist and sprinkles for him this morning. You will see; somehow Heaven wishes to fool us further. He will rise; wait and see. There are no lasting tears in Christian land. There are only memories of sorrows that will evolve into some manner of joys.
They caught sleep, but only for a little bit. There, alone in this cold and drafty house they called home; only briefly to be alone and intimate as this mourning family should. Here, in this span of space and time, they all wept collectively as a family in loss. Surrounding the small crib of Daniel and stretching their looks, thoughts, and hearts all round him as he lay. Still; even now, Daniel did not move. Mary carried the heaviest weight; her eyes crept to his seat and so staggered with expression and woe; the bond of mother and child still remained.
I know now Heaven did collapse in tears. There, you see? The shadows of clouds did form and move from the east; softly, gently rolling through and breaking the sunrise from its light. The buckets of rain were near with clouds folding now on top of one another. The cold grew more cursing still; the drizzle fell, of soft pedals in first, with pellets which drowned the ground from its dryness. Still they came, from all ways and places; the hoards of people; hearts heavy and dripping with their own snow. The air did freeze what rain initially fell. Now, but very soon, the sleet did fall and cry on its own terms.
By wagon, by horseback, by foot all in unified mass they did approach.
Today little Daniel will go from life to underneath earth. You will see. Heaven now will surely change the course. The clergy did follow with robe and Bible; stiff dispositions and faces in all; heads down low and sniffing the lower air as it froze their beards to white.
A lone wagon crept slowly from one highest ridge to this massive, awaiting crew. Driven there by John Mulligan and his eldest son; into the rear wept all the same Mary Mulligan and her daughter too, mutually clinching little Daniel in his blanket clothes. The faces told all; no words need be said. Words can often say foolish things and bring lies to air. Though in this, the Truth is known without any hesitation. It has its own universal language; not words be said – there is no need. There, in this failing proposal, a wagon limped to its last destination; a slow crawl of sorts; that seemed to freeze in its path as it went.
Heaven's heart must have frozen then. For in this haunting frame of life, did snow appear to descend and glow the ground and all surroundings into a soft pillow of white. Large flakes as big as eye pupils in amazement cast down from Heaven's belly flow. The tears let loose in icy reminders. Even still, little Daniel did not move.
The wagon stopped just short. John Mulligan came to the rear and pulled his precious wife forward; both children to their rear. Together, with all that they held, with no trappings made, as emotions ravage the soul to question all, they held Daniel close. This would be the last time to feel his touch and warmth and heart and fingers and toes and the smell of him and cheeks; all that he was to them. This would be the last forever on earth's domain.
The start and finish came full circle in just one day. A blink and it was gone. Much is made who have a lifetime together and yet spoil it with regret, and not casting it out with its full due. I say they are blind to all what should be. But not to the Mulligan family; they know the treasure there. Through utter pain and giftless sorrow, did they value what was all in true value and worth. They had learned the lesson meant for others, and for all to see.
Heaven can still teach in the deepest tragedy.
The snow fell homeward, hardest still. The clergy converged; held the Mulligan's close; the end was near. There to the shallow pit were they led; consecrations made, scriptures read and soundly rehearsed, prayers sent aloft and meaning for God's awaiting ear.
Heaven did hear; I saw God listening. He knew the terms. Blessings bestowed; Faith renewed; Love always remained. You will see – and sanctuary to the heart-filled mourners.
There stood Mary Mulligan in firm cling and undying hold to her son. She would not give in; but to keep this very moment still, and let it not move. Hold still please; the heart still beats; it must. The mistake was given in the preceding night; the angels will come and intercede.
Give all back Daniel to her; make his way home. It is here, next to his mother's heart.
No moment lasts longer than this one. Only a mother knows this.
God forbid the rapture goes this way. Such a mother gives, even to the cross; a son belays, is given up for the sanctity of man. Mary knows, and Mary knew. Such a moment is never dispelled when her child goes to Heaven and away. Daniel was not yet born, but yet was given up to Heaven to go; Jesus made his truer purpose and went away too. But the tears of all mothers for their child are the same.
And so too, did Mary wail when Daniel left from her arms into the cold, wet pit below; Heaven's full tears fell by snow now. God remembers; God knows. A mother's loss is His.
You will see; this story is yet untold. The ending is not here, but yet to be told.
Mary will find her heart back someday; she will have to go and seek it out when she hears the beat of it once more. With one final gaze she has the memory shot of Daniel once more. Of birth, of life, of death, at once dispatched; the hollow grave just the day before, now filled up with its unintended guest. A child; a lamb; of same innocence born; and lept from womb, to life, to final resting place with no pause to enjoy the life he led.
Heaven has greatest purpose in all. This, to all, is the Mulligan testament.
You will see there is no Christian disclaim, when first Faith is born and survives such sustained tragedy. This is the gift; that life does not end here. There is more. You will see. Daniel is not done; Heaven's virtue has greater planes to explore.
A smile will replace your tears; this be known. If you are moved to hear little Daniel's story, then a great good is done. The snow will fall and at last end. Winter will soon be gone and be replaced with Spring; Summer to follow; Autumn to begin again.
There is cycle here, and death will not end it.
You will see; Heaven and God will be your guide.
Just read further; the dawn of it sits upon the next page.
Author's Notes:
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