A beautiful reflection words almost fail
There is a woman who has lived in constant conflict with her husband. One day she suffers a cardiac arrest, and as she nears death, an angel appears to her. He tells her that, after weighing her good and bad deeds, she cannot yet enter heaven. However, he offers her the chance to return to earth for a few days so she can do a few more good deeds. She agrees and comes back home, to her husband. He doesnt speak to her; theyve been at odds for ages.
She thinks to herself:
I ought to make peace with this man. Hes been sleeping on the sofa, and its been ages since I made him a hot meal. Just now, hes ironing his work shirt Ill surprise him.
Once her husband leaves for work, she begins to wash and iron all his clothes. She prepares a delicious dinner, sets fresh flowers and candles on the table, and leaves a note on the sofa:
I think youd be more comfortable sleeping in the bed that was once ours. The bed where, out of love, our children came into the world. The bed where we would hold each other on so many nights, hiding from fears and feeling the comfort of one anothers presence. That love hasnt left; its still there, waiting for us. If you can forgive all my mistakesmeet me there.
Your wife
As she writes the last lineIf you can forgive all my mistakesshe hesitates:
Have I lost my mind? Why should I apologise? Hes the one whod come home angry, after losing his job at the plant and failing to find another. I had to manage our savings and bear his frustration too. Hed started drinking, spent hours sunk in the armchair, silencing the children who only wanted to play. He shouted at me when I said we couldnt go on like this. He destroyed everything and now Im the one to apologise?
Annoyed, she rips up the letter. Just then, she hears the angels voice again:
Remember: just a few more good deeds and youll reach heaven. Otherwise, you wont be able to enter.
She ponders:
Is it really worth it?
She writes the letter again, this time pouring out even more warmth:
I saw nothing then. I didnt notice the terror you must have felt when you lost your job after all those steady years. You must have been so scared. I remember your dreams about what wed do when we retired together. Instead of helping, I pushed you into driving a taxi, though you hated it.
I remember the night I destroyed your love letters and burned your paintings. I was furious youd lock yourself away to paint or spend on brushes, or write me poems. I should have tried to help you sell those paintingsthey truly were beautiful. I, too, was afraid. I only felt secure when you had steady work at the factory. I never saw your pain.
Please, forgive me, my darling. I promise things will be different from today. I love you.
Your wife
When he returns from work, he immediately senses something is differenttheres the aroma of homemade food, candles lit on the table, his favourite music playing, and a note on the sofa.
As the woman emerges from the kitchen, holding the serving dish, she finds him weeping like a child. She sets the food down and wraps her arms around him. Theres no need for words. They cry together. He lifts her up and carries her to their bed. They make love with the passion of their first day together.
Later, they share dinner, laughing as they recall funny stories from their childrens younger days.
While tidying the kitchen that night, she glimpses the angel through the window, standing in the garden. She rushes out, tears streaming:
Please, angel, let me stay a bit longer. I want to help him find his way back to his art, I want to rebuild what I destroyed. I promise hell be happy soon. Then, Ill go with you.
The angel replies:
Theres no need to take you anywhere. Youre already in heaven now. Youve truly earned it. Just remember the hell you lived inand that heaven is often closer than you think.
From inside the house, her husband calls,
Darling, its cold, come to bed. Tomorrow is a new day.
She thinks,
Yes thank goodness tomorrow is a new day.
For reflection:
You who complain about what you dont receivehave you thought about how much you give?
You who are sufferinghave you considered how much suffering you cause others?
You who accuse others of ignorancehave you examined your own?
You who judge mistakesdo you see your own?
You who call yourself a true friendare you honest with yourself?
You who bemoan what you lackdo you notice how much you already have?
You who criticise the worldhave you done anything to make it better?
You who dream of heavenhow much have you done to lessen the hell around you?
You who say youre modestare you truly humble?
You who condemn wrongdo you spread kindness?
You who moan about indifferencedo you show love yourself?
You who fear povertydo you make good use of what you have?
You who are wounded by thornsdo you plant roses?
You who fear darknessdo you light a candle?
You who focus only on yourselfdo you care for others?
You who feel smalldo you strive to grow?
You who fear solitudedo you give someone your presence?
You who dread illnessdo you look after your health?
You who long for peacedo you work to resolve conflict?
