*= thought speak
"Fly Away to the Clouds of Heaven"
Chapter 5:
It's been at least two months since my father passed. The funeral was truly beautiful. They had flowers and art surrounding my father's coffin. I cried all during the reception, even more as they lowered the coffin into the ground, taking my father away. All my family and friends were there, giving their support and final words. My grandmother has moved in with us since then, to help around.
Death is never a simple thing, and it always hurts. It hurts even when someone you don't know dies. So just imagine the agony of how it feels when someone so important to you is taken away.
Then again, I suppose, they're not truly taken away, if you keep them in your heart.
That's what my Mom told me. Those were most likely the only words I truly listened to, being that it was her husband that had died.
How do you go on with your life, when your life revolved around the life of another that was now no longer there?
I suppose that's why we hold every moment with our loved ones precious to our hearts.
I thought about this as I heard Jake tapping upon my window on a clear late afternoon. I was watching the sun beginning to set as I opened the window, letting him in.
"Hey Cassie," he said giving me a slight hug.
I suppose Jake still felt I was too distraught to be held, but over the time of my father's passing, I realized I wanted to be with him more.
"Hey," I replied keeping my embrace upon him.
We stayed like that for some minutes, just listening to the rhythm of our hearts. Gradually, I sat down on the bed, as he sat down beside me.
"It still hurts," I whispered out.
I felt Jake's arm go around my sides as he pulled me closer. I looked over at him. I felt so sorry for Jake on some level. Here he was, obviously worried about me, and I couldn't do much to assure that it was going to be okay.
I leaned over and let my lips meet his, in a soft gentle kiss.
"I don't mean to put you through this," I said.
"You don't have to feel guilty. You're always there when I need you, now I'm going to be here as long as you need me," he replied.
"Forever," I spoke out.
"What," he said, not sure as to what I was referring to.
"That's how long I'm going to need you," I whispered back, reaching out to hold him close.
I just wanted to be here, right there, with him now. I was going to make sure that my life with Jake was going to be like that of my parents. I wanted him to know how much I cared, all the way to my dying day.
That's because, you never know when your dying day may be.
"Tell me what to do Cassie, because I'm running out of ideas," he whispered in my ear, as he held me tightly.
I just turned my head towards the window looking out into the sky. The sun seemed like a light at the end of the tunnel, and the clouds were so high.
"Fly away to the clouds of Heaven with me," I whispered in his ear.
Jake gently pulled slightly away, gazing into my eyes, seeing if I was serious.
"There's this story that says, if you soar high enough, you can reach the love of God upon the highest clouds. I want to try that, and experience it with you," I explained, taking his hand.
Jake nodded as we stood up off the bed and began to morph into birds. We flapped out of the window and into the sky as the wind played across our feathers. We soared and drew higher reaching the clouds, and still flying harder.
*Cassie,* Jake spoke out as we flew.
*Yes,* I replied back.
*I know you want a glimpse of heaven, but I don't need to see it, * he said.
*Why not,* I questioned.
*Because I see it each time I look at you,* he whispered back.
*Thank-you Jake,* I said, mentally smiling.
*I love you,* he went on.
A small smile mentally came upon my soul as we kept flying, side by side, and higher still. When my father died, a chapter in my life had ended, but as Jake and I flew, I realized a chapter in my life had just started. It was the first chapter in the story of 'Jake and Cassie,' and the book seemed to be off to a good start.
*I know you do,* I whispered back to him, as I had done so many times with my father, *because it's only right, that you love me, as much as I love you.*
As we flew, I heard my father's voice singing that beautiful song.
Fly, fly precious one. Your endless journey has just begun.
Take your gentle happiness, far too beautiful for this.
Cross over the other shore, there is peace forever more.
But hold this memory bittersweet until we meet.
Fly, fly, do not fear
don't waste your breath, don't shed a tear.
Your heart is pure, your soul is free
Be on your way, don't forget me.
*Never,* I thought into the sky.
*You hear that Cassie? It's like the wind is singing a song,* Jake spoke out.
*It is Jake, it's singing the song of heaven,* I replied.
Above the universe you'll climb.
On beyond the hands of time.
The moon will rise, the sun will set
but I won't soon forget.
Fly, fly little wing,
play where only angels sing.
Fly way, the time is right.
Go now, and find the light.
Jake and I kept flying and reaching for the stars. I knew eventually, we would have to turn back, but for now we were one in the same, as he flew with me. We would go on higher until we couldn't flap anymore, letting the winds of bliss be our guide back home.
As of now though, Jake and I, just kept flying.
Flying away together, to the Clouds of Heaven.
The End
Ryoko notes: Now how do I explain this? I don't know what truly possessed me to write this. I don't even know what possessed me to keep writing this. I suppose, I just wanted to put a new spin on an old topic-death. Well, I think I've succeeded in that, and I would like to know what you think. It's ironic, in a way. As I was finishing the last few paragraphs, my mother came in my room and informed me that a friend of the family, Mrs. Jackson, had passed away. I suppose death is truly unpredictable. I really want to know what you guys think, so review it. :-)
Song: "Fly Away" by Celine Dion.