One day, the life of Joe Gardner was turned utterly upside-down because he almost died. On his little adventure, he found out the truth regarding souls. He enabled one named 22 to live and then got a second chance to live himself. He intended to keep his pledge to one of the Jerrys to live his life to the fullest. He also planned to do 22 and had suggested seeing Lisa again.

Lisa Collins was a student-teacher at the middle school where he taught band. She was quite fetching and loved to laugh. They'd gone on a couple of dates. But his obsession with jazz had ended it.

He'd hoped she'd be open to giving him a second chance. So on the first day of the rest of his life? He headed to Lisa's house of prayer, knowing she'd be at choir practice. Lisa had the voice of an angel without a doubt. She was the lead soprano in her church choir.

She loved to sing as much as he loved jazz. When she sang, she'd make grown men weep from its beauty. He quietly took a seat at the back of the church. He didn't want her to notice him just yet. So instead, he concentrated on her captivating voice. She looked like an angel herself.

The petite thirty-two-year-old woman had light black skin, big brown eyes, and medium-length thick curly hair. However, she did have a beauty mark under her right eye and dimples whenever she smiled.

Twenty minutes later, choir practice concluded. Gathering his courage, he strolled over and applauded softly. Lisa turned around to see her old acquaintance. "Well, hello, Joe. What brings you to this neck of the woods? I thought you only came to church for Sunday worship. You've never been here before during choir practice."

"I came here to hear you sing. I've missed listening to the voice of an angel."

She blushed slightly, "Well, it's been a while since we've seen each other. So what's new?"

"I finally got to play jazz on stage and been offered a full-time job at the school."

"Hmm, knowing you? You rather do the jazz gig then teach," she pointed out. To her surprise, he answered.

"I'm going to do both. I intend to teach during the school year, and during the summer holidays, I'll play with the quartet. I've already worked it out with Dorothea."

"So you'll get the best of both worlds. Well, I assume your mother is pleased by this choice?"

"Yes, she's quite delighted with it."

"Well, I suspect you're here for more then sharing your good news with me. Am I correct with that assumption?"

"I recently had a life-changing experience. It made me realize what I've been missing out on in life. I was hoping you get a cup of coffee with me? Perhaps we could talk about it?"

She raised an eyebrow. "There aren't any strings attached to this, are there? I mean, I know we went on a couple of dates..."

"Trust me, Lisa. All I want today is to chat over coffee. Whatever happens afterward is up to life itself."

She seemed a little apprehensive but nodded. "Let me get changed, and we can head out to my favorite bistro down the street. Then you can tell me what happened to change your life."

Half an hour later, the couple was enjoying their lattes. Lisa, at first, didn't believe a word Joe said regarding his little adventure. But the way he spoke about it in such a sincere tone? By the end of the story, she completely believed everything he said.

He then asked if maybe they could give it another try. He apologized that it took a near-death experience to wake up to what matters in life. And even if it was just one date? He'd be satisfied with that.

Lisa agreed to go on a date with him. She wanted to see this new Joe Gardner for herself. While he'd convinced her of his story, it didn't mean she was convinced he'd turned over a new leaf. One year to the day of Joe's journey into the world of souls, he and Lisa tied the knot. Which made his mother even more joyful then she'd been one year ago.

She was even gladder when her grandchild was born nine months later. Joe ultimately had a gorgeous daughter they'd named Jazz Ray Gardener. So indeed, life was much better now then when he only thought of jazz and not of life.

Joe thanked all the Jerrys and 22 for helping him live a more satisfactory life than before encountering them. His life was now filled with meaning, and he still intended to live it to the fullest.


Lisa= Jada Pickett Smith


Life is Both

Sometimes you'll win other times, and you'll lose. Either way, accept it for what it is. Honor all of it! The good, bad, beautiful, brutal, peace and unrest

See the world in more then black and white. Remember the shades of gray. Feel happiness, anger, and sorrow and take delight in the small things in life.

You're better because of all of it. No matter what, life hands you? There will always be lessons to learn and opportunities awaiting. Don't ever forget that!