Daniel's New World

There, into the region and ridge settled high along the way; where meadows roam as the animals often do; in peace and harmony; no strain to the relations. They huddle close; lamb to lion, and lion to lamb. Those streaming meadows are their grasslands, their homes to wander about without pattern or formation. But to be led somewhere, any place where God so directs.

Daniel came from the bush heads, peeking through with a marveled and admiring expression. He smiled and pushed ahead to enter, moved up the long valley way which led into their midst. And there, amongst the earthly predators and prey, he lay with them in that peace, stroking to each and thinking of what Joy Heaven bestows.

He looks much like all the rest; at the height of his handsome and grace. The eyes are piercing blue, with hue of gold sparkles which radiate through from time to time. His hair is blonde and flowing from the vantage point of his crown, dropping to cover his face when he bent low to cuddle such fierce foes. He possesses the face of his mother; sweet, aglow, quaint nose and forgiving gazes; smiles which light up the bounds of Heaven when they are exposed. A gracious complexion gifted by God when he looks through his gaze.

Daniel is welcome here as he is amongst many of the boundaries in Heaven. He is taller than most and has the athletic gifts much like flight angels. There are precious moments when the angels will land to encircle Daniel, play land games with him and spar with him in joyous fashion. Much like brothers and sisters would do. He is a child at the core of his heart; innocence was never lost; a purity born with his rebirth; the spirit never riled by anger, but only to know Joy and Harmony in every fashion.

"Daniel," one angel would speak and flip his large hand over Daniel's shoulder, "you will fly soon; become bigger – as big as me!"

"Barakiel," Daniel will respond, "I am a land child; nothing more."

"Oh no!" Barakiel refuted, "There was much celebration when you came… Time is soon! You will see…"

"Changes will be made…" Daniel implored to speculate sarcastically.

"Truth, be known," he punched Daniel playfully on his shoulder and spread his long-span out fully as he began to walk away and look back on Daniel, "This comes… when you will see Gabriel…"

"Gabriel?"

"Have you not heard?" Barakiel supposed, "The greatest Seraphim… Gaabbrriieell! At the point of crisis, he was instructed by God to battle Satan, defeat him and throw him into the pit! From there, Satan was cast out of the Heavens!"

Daniel seemed most confused by this.

Barakiel punched him further to garner Daniel's fullest attention.

"The Gabriel! The one and only Gabriel! He is so graced to have seen five of the seven realms to Heaven!"

"To see me…" Daniel was suspicious by the angel's playfulness.

"No!" he did react in all seriousness, "You will go to see him…"

"Where?"

"Where he resides…"

"Where is this?" Daniel pursued further still.

"Wherever it leads!" He looked at Daniel as if he should know better.

"I know not which direction to go…" Daniel remained as he was; most unsure.

"Daniel!" A voice called from whence he came; it was his grandmother, "Daniel!"

"I must go…"

"Not until…" and with this, Barakiel came on Daniel's rear, pulled his long and superior arms underneath Daniel's lower armpits, raised him high and lifted him up. The wings spread long and wide; fluttered to a stretch, extended to a flap, and above they went for a short and glorious flight through the long plains of this portion to Heaven.

What a glorious view!

Daniel could feel the ghost of a wind cross through his expression as he looked and revered what was about. The lands to extend on into infinity; no boundaries or limits remained; the hosts of all creatures seen in the dunes, the forests, the majestic waterfalls, the valleys to drop from their kinship mountaintops; rivers bending through like a snake in large grasses; suns and moons to rise and fall in variable sequence; stars about and spotting to the skies; colors of every pedigree glow and fade through; sunrises and sunsets all in one precious moment; large trail-ways leading to icy mountain ranges; forests at the breach; ridgelines full with evergreens and herds, vacant spots and outcrops.

Angels flew close by, made runs at both Barakiel and Daniel with play; diving from their rears and above; coming to the heads and quickly diverting direction at just the right points. Those long wings when at full extension; bringing them to lift ever higher; the sounds of these propelling winds as they dove and lifted up again; the grace and haven for home.

"You will fly soon…" Barakiel softly spoke to Daniel, "Will you see…"