Holy Spirit Inspiration

Holy Spirit inspiration doesn't always come at a time that you want it; it comes when you need it.

The Ancestral Trail - Finding Norway

The Ancestral Trail

Finding Norway

Bergen, Norway

It all started with a phone call from one of our relatives in Norway inviting us to visit them in 2014. It ended up expanding to both sides of my husband's families located in Bergen and the other in Trondheim with a stay in between at the family home located centrally in the western fjords.

My husband had not visited Norway since he was a small child, so this was especially important to him. I personally had not visited any country outside of the United States, except for our North American neighbors, Canada, and Mexico.

We were both so excited and started planning our trip right away. Passports first, tickets second and then the fun began. What did we really know about Norway? The research was extensive (thanks to google), and by the time we finished, we felt we had already travelled there! With any local excursion in our country, we knew what clothes to wear, what to bring with us and didn't need to research much. This was so different.

Our relatives contacted us and said to leave it to them regarding our adventure in Norway. Norwegians are some of the kindest and most friendly people you will meet. Both sides of the family were going to make sure we saw the sights and tasted the hospitality of the Norwegian culture. We were stoked and couldn't wait for the time to arrive.

We boarded a 747 British Airways plane and deboarded in London due to an extra security check. There was a high terrorist alert in Norway, and I was picked to have a gun powder check on my hands. That was a first. Thank goodness I passed! Due to the extra security, we almost missed our connecting flight, but they waited for us, and the stewardess yelled out our names as she saw us running through Heathrow airport. We just made it, and they closed the door. It was now just over an hour's flight, and we would finally be in Bergen.

Coming down the airport ramp, the excitement surged with us seeing our Bergen family waiting. The day was just beginning even with jet lag. Our first stop, after dropping off our luggage at our cousin's home, was to head to the Bergen historic Bryggen Hanseatic wharf. The 2014 International Tall Ship Race Festival was in full swing with so many beautiful ships moored right at the historic wharf. We didn't plan or even expect this, so it was a wonderful surprise.

As we were walking around the docks and exploring all the ships, we were delighted to find a Starbucks in one of the old buildings to keep us awake until we could take a power nap later. Yes, we even bought Starbuck souvenir cups.

We packed a full day into visiting the sights of Bergen and for several days after we arrived. We bravely took the Ulriken cable car up to Mount Ulriken overlooking the beautiful city, with sights of the mountains and water. I must admit it was scary at first, but we loved the views after we landed on top of the mountain. I'm sure I wasn't the only one who had their eyes closed going up.

Ulriken Cable Car

Another day trip had us take the Fløibanen funicular railway up to Mount Floyen that also overlooks the city of Bergen with spectacular views! Our family tour guides wanted to make sure we experienced everything Bergen while we were there. We crammed everything we could in two weeks!

Fløibanen funicular railway

After our initial stay in Bergen, we headed by car to the western fjords where my husband's mother grew up. It is a scenic area of a fjord village dotted with houses that are white, yellow, blue and red. The theme colors associated with the Scandanavian countryside. It was thrilling to stay in his mother's childhood home that his great grandfather had built in Gjerdsvika.

Ancestral Home in background

We immediately explored the countryside, took an enormous number of photographs by camera and with our mobile phones. We wanted to take back all the memories captured in pictures to remember the best trip ever.

Western Fjords

Before leaving, our last stop was a surprise trip around the fjord to view the midnight sun. We were told we could not leave the country without seeing it. Everyone said it was requirement to have at least one picture "holding" it in their hands. Of course, we were happy to comply.

Holding the Norwegian Midnight Sun

We sadly said goodbye and hopped on the Kong Harold ship headed to Trondheim. We would be staying with another relative on my husband's father's side of the family. We didn't think anything could top what we had seen so far. We were right because it was just as amazing as the first part of our trip.

Kong Harold Ship

While on the trip sailing the western shores of Norway, we captured pictures of waterfalls and high cliffs along the way. We now understand why many Norwegians, including my mother-in-law and father-in-law, chose Seattle to settle in because it was also surrounded by the ocean and mountains. As I like to say, the same but different. Could it have reminded them of their ancestral home? I would like to think so.

Waterfall in Norway

Trondheim was amazing as well. After leaving the ship we explored the city with our cousin as our guide, and then the next day we were on our own. Could there be anything we wouldn't like? No, not at all. Everything was exceeding all expectations.

Trondheim waterfront view

Nidaros Cathedral is in Trondheim and was built over a 230-year period. It was so enormous with so many architectural sculptures that were adorned to it. We were so overwhelmed from seeing it and after climbing the narrow, internal stairs to the top that we forgot to go to the tour below the main floor.

Nidaros Cathedral

We found our new Norwegian troll friend in front of one of the shops located in the town of Trondheim. He was the second one we encountered on our trip. One in Bergen and another one up the mountain overlooking Bergen.

Trondheim Norwegian Troll

The final week of our trip we did so much. We took an excursion down to the border of Norway and Sweden spending the night enjoying our cousin's cabin. We then ventured back to Trondheim to catch our plane back to Bergen. Our trip was ending, and we were flying home the next day.

Our adventure was filled with lots of fish and potatoes, meeting up with many different relatives to get a glimpse of the family and culture. We also met relatives from Askøy and took a tour of the old homestead of my father-in-law's childhood home as well as the school he attended, local shops, and the graveyard where ancestral relatives were buried. We even took a trip to see the King's castle! If we only had more time we would have ventured to Oslo. That trip is listed on our bucket list!

King's Castle

This was a vacation of our lifetime that we will treasure forever in our words and pictures. We connected with our northern European family. We made the right decision by travelling Norway and experiencing it. The only regret we have is not spending more time while we were there. Things have changed a lot since 2014. The Askøy homestead no longer exists, and the Gjerdsvika family home has been sold. Time changes things. We were lucky to go when we did, otherwise, waiting we would not have seen with our own eyes as much of the family history.

Where is your ancestral trail? We found ours in Norway!

https://vocal.media/wander/the-ancestral-trail

The Gospel in a Nutshell

For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

What does that mean?

I'm not a theology professor or preacher, but I know that the Lord lives and that he was crucfied for my sins. How awful it must have been for him. Yet, he did it. He sacificed himself for ME. Yes, for ME, and for YOU, if you accept him as your Lord and Savior, he will be with you always.

How do I do what he wants? It is simple, I must tell everyone I meet. If they accept, great. If they don't, that is their choice. Why? Because they have free will. God gave it to us.

I love him so much that my life is nothing without him. I love him. I need him. I know him. I will always worship him. He has saved me more than once in this life. I know he will save me for the afterlife. I am HIS.

I want all my family, friends and even enemies to know him the way I know him. Will that happen? Maybe, maybe not, they have their choice to accept HIM in this world or not. I can't speak for them. They need to find HIM on their own. I pray for their souls in this world, and my hope is on HIM that reins in Heaven and Earth. He is my redeemer and my LORD. He can be yours too before it is too late.

Read revelations and ask GOD to give you the insight into his plan to save mankind. It is so close to having the choice in this life. If not, you will need to accept or deny him after we are all gone. He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through him.

Choose today, don't wait or it will be harder for you.

With all my love in Christ.

The Power of Prayer

"The wonderful thing about praying is that you leave a world of not being able to do something, and enter God's realm where everything is possible. He specializes in the impossible. Nothing is too great for His almighty power. Nothing is too small for His love." ~ Corrie Ten Boom

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🎄

A Child of God

I believe yet I'm not perfect.
I know, yet I'm not the most knowlegable
I care yet I'm not the most compassionate
I am yet I don't truly know myself
I love yet don't always feel loved
I  reach out but can never totally
grasp
I explore yet don't feel I'm moving forward
But, when I pray, I move mountains!
When I trust and hope I feel the power!
When I give my all to Christ I am all of the above...

I believe
I know
I care
I am
I reach
I explore

When you know God, Christ and the Holy Spirit you are a child of the most high God ❤️

What Endures (last) Forever?

The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever. 1Peter1:24-25

What About You?

What About You?

You may have free will, 

that is true.

Picking your path 

without a clue. 

You look to your own device knowing 

you will only gain the world. 

I can't emphasize enough that 

in the end it will fade like a mural. 

Your eyes are closed as 

the world draws you in. 

I can pray for you, but without God 

my words just melt in the wind. 

You sow what you reap. 

We all do, be it for good or evil. 

The difference you may ask 

is not what equals. 

The difference is God, 

the rapture is true, 

we shall ascend, but 

what about you? 

There is a slim chance 

on a tribulation date, 

you will have to sacrifice your body 

on God's holy slate. 

You can ask him to save your soul 

in a world filled with fool's gold.

Your reward will be to enter the gates 

made of pearls but void of hate! 

Eternity is my goal. 

I want to take you as I go. 

Don't hesitate to preach the love 

as the Holy Spirit makes you bold. 

Go in true love.

Go in peace. 

Listen to the WORD 

and eternal life you will keep! 

So, what about you?

 

I Can't See You

I can't see you,  

but I know you are there. 

I feel you with my hands 

when I touch what you have made. 

The world is full of your creations,

we should all be amazed!

I can't see you,  

but I know you are there. 

When I'm alone, 

I know you are with me 

I feel your presence in the air,

the water, the breeze in the trees,

the aroma from the flowers,

and the miracle of the tiny seeds. 

I can't see you,  

but I know you are there.  

I see the birds fly across the sky, 

I see the water move in waves, 

I see what your hands have made

I even looked in the mirror and saw

the miracle you molded in my mother's womb.

I can't see you,  

but I know you are there.

I hear the birds chirping outside, 

they are music flying in the sky. 

No need to clothe or feed 

for your hand I do not see 

keeps them filled, clothed, and free.

I can't see you,  

but I know you are there. 

The creatures so small, 

and under a microscope detailed in a complex look 

which only a Creator could piece together 

and not the Universe with a blasted explosion that shook!

I can't see you,  

but I know you are there. 

Complex, yet simple. 

Creative, yet complete. 

Life's origin is your masterpiece,

and all is forever unique.

I can't see you,  

but I know you are there. 

Time can go slow or fast 

with you it has no boundary.

A day is said to be a thousand years 

in your realm of time,

yet here time is like a bind.

I can't see you,  

but I know you are there. 

When our days are complete 

where our gifts are used or left to decay,

I know my Creator lives on 

with dust to our bodies while our souls long 

to stand by your side with crowns among the throng.

I can't see you,  

but I know you are there.

Let's toss the crowns at your feet 

for eternity we will meet 

praising your name 

forever more.

I can see you, 

I was wrong.

You are everywhere, and 

I know that you are not just there but here.

Psalm 23 (KJV)

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The Power of Prayer

 

My Salvation

In today’s world, throughout the entire world, some are at war with GOD. There are those who are not. There are those who choose to be down on their knees, asking for forgiveness, believing in the birth, death and resurrection of our LORD, the Son of GOD, who saved us from our sinful nature. If it were not true, we would all be at war with GOD with no hope of salvation nor an eternal life with him who loved us first. HE will always have eternal love for his children that come to HIM with adoration, praise, and worship. Yes, it is hope, but it is also truth. When you have been blessed with the Holy Spirit of GOD, you will know it to be true.

One of the most powerful and love filled scriptures in the Bible is John 3:16 (KJV). 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” 

When we pray, always give praise to HIM for he is the great I AM. He made us in his image, beginning with Adam, from the dust of the ground. We are his creation, and as such, should worship him and no other Gods, nor people, or things of this world that he created us to have dominion over. We are HIS, and HE has allowed us to have direct access to HIM in prayer. How awesome of a GOD to let us speak with HIM, praise HIM, and ask of things from HIM that are according to HIS will not ours!

 Jesus gave an example of how to pray to his FATHER. It is in Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV): 

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”

I will leave you with the reassuring words of Jesus. Matthew 28:16-20 (KJV). 

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

An Unfortunate Soul

I closed my eyes, and opened them, but all I could see was darkness. I felt a pain beginning in my toes and spreading upward through my feet, legs, thighs and then it zoomed to the top of my torso, neck, and head. My arms felt like darts shooting flames at the very same time. I clinched my teeth in utter pain and couldn’t comprehend what exactly was happening. Where was I? What happened after I went to bed and fell asleep? Could this be a nightmarish dream, or have I died and gone to …oh no, couldn’t be. There is no Hell. I was so sure of it.

I kept thinking I would wake up and it would be just a bad dream. I had heard a street preacher this past week talk about repentance and belief in Jesus, or we would suffer eternal damnation. I had yelled out to him that at least I would be in good company partying away with my friends, who also did not believe. He responded that my friends would not be with me, nor God. I would be alone. All alone.

My eyes were open, but I saw no flames, only darkness. If this were Hell, why could I not see anything burning? Where was the light? I felt like I was on fire and in complete agony, waiting to wake up to forget this horrible nightmare.

I didn’t wake up. I couldn’t wake up because I wasn’t asleep. As time went on and the horror show continued, surrounded in a darkness that smothered my very existence with no feeling of love, joy, contentment, pleasure, or companionship. I was powerless. In other words, I felt completely alone and horrible with the burning shooting through my entire body. It would not stop. I shouted out to God, but he did not respond. I shouted out to everyone I could think of to help me, but no one responded. It would not stop. I was alone, in total darkness and burning with flames I could not see but feel.

I had plenty of time to think about my past life as it had flashed before my eyes. My parents were Christ followers. I had been raised in the Church but had never been “born again." I just appeased my parents with going to youth group because it was more for the fellowship of other teens, not religion. I went along with it for the companionship, until I outgrew them all and became aware of the worldly things in life that brought me immense pleasure. I was my own God.

Now, I know why my grandmother sent me a Bible every year. I kindly asked her to stop, and she did once I agreed not to dispose of the last one. I realize now, too late, that she genuinely loved me. She loved me enough to speak the truth. I will have all of eternity to think about it. I had told her I didn’t care that I was going to hell. I didn’t know at the time the true meaning of hell until now. It is the absence of true light. The light of Jesus. In total darkness, alone and in pain I know who the light of the world really is. It was not the things of the world, it was not my friends, and most of all, it was not myself.

It is too late for me, but not for you. Find the true light. Worship the true source of life. Jesus warned us. He told us he was the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through him. He was right. I regrettably was wrong. 

Signed,

An Unfortunate Soul

Love is Eternal

Love at First Sight

The first time I saw your face

Time stood still

I didn’t know why

But it was so, so surreal.

I couldn’t speak the words.

They came out all jumbled and weird

I thought you wouldn’t want to know me

Because I came off so bizarrely unreal.

You seemed to think it was cute

I thought that was something strange

You wanted to get to know me

I kept thinking you must be deranged.

You laughed at my words.

That didn’t seem so clearly spoken.

I started to sense

Our feelings were mutually beholden.

My eyes sparkled

From your reflection

I didn’t want to close my eyes

And have you deflected.

You grabbed my hand

And I didn’t pull away

You had that magic touch

And I refused to stray.

Yesterday seems like a distant memory

You’re still here by my side

I can’t believe our love

has never died.

I gained confidence

With you by my side

You lifted me up

And never said goodbye.

Others come and go

But you remained

And your love for me

It has never strayed.

You gave me hope

To believe in tomorrow

And my love for you

Will never, ever falter.

You made it so clear that

I was special to you

I’ll never love someone else

Just out of the blue.

I saw myself with you

Building me up

Telling me, I am strong

As if my soul was singing a song.

As we grow old

and before our life completes

Our love will forever be

As my heart continues to beat.

Love at first sight

Love in the end

Our hearts will forever be entwined

Straight Into eternity never denied.

Our love will win

First day through the last

Our togetherness

It will be a lifetime blast.

Let’s love each other as often as we can

because time won’t standstill

Like it did that first day

I am so grateful your love never strayed

Eternity is coming

Let’s live a good life today

Our souls are destined to part

But our love will remain.

This was first published on vocal. media as a writing challenge Feb. - Mar. 2022.

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

It was a hot, humid day in the middle of August near the Texas border town of Brownsville. Sweat was pouring down the brow of Valaria's face as she moved some limbs off her driveway into her yard. They had fallen during the night from an old oak tree. She was late for school, but the branches had barely missed her car from behind. A few neighbors looked over at her, nodding and going along their way. There were plenty of stares but no help to aid her. She was used to that. It's hot, and life in this town moves rather slowly except for her. She was a go-getter with big ambitions and dreams of leaving this place for the big city. She had already planned out her life, as far as her work was concerned. She was working hard to make her dream a reality. She planned to transfer to Austin to finish her degree at the University of Texas.

First, she needed to finish all of her credits and be accepted into her program of study. She wasn't worried about it too much since she had the top grades at the community college she attended in town, even while working a full-time job at the local Bookstore as a barista. The only problem she had was leaving her family, but she planned to convince them to move in with her in Austin when the time was right.

Valaria arrived at school and ran into her class only ten minutes late, but the Teacher was not pleased and made it known in front of the other students. He reprimanded her and asked that she stay a few minutes afterward to talk with him. The rest of the class time sped by, and then she met with Mr. Morales. She was planning to receive a scolding, but he only wanted to talk to her about her plans. Mr. Morales knew people in the technology field in Austin, and he told her he was trying to find her an intern job that she could do while living there and working on her degree. He was also a family friend and had been a mentor to her since she was a young child. She often thought that she owed him for the love of technology since he always showed her things he was working on in his classroom.

After all her classes were over that day, she rushed to reach her work on time, and it never failed to be within minutes of being late for that too! She was always running and never slowing down. She liked it that way. Valaria was always on her toes, going from school, work, and meeting up with friends for fun. She was one type of student who never needed to study for a test; it just came easy for her.

At work, she was popular with the customers. She was a talkative Barista and loved to get to know everyone that came in. There were a lot of tourists and Rv'ers that traveled through her town headed to Harlingen. It was a popular area for RV'ers because the rent was cheap as well as the utilities. She lived in an area that the cost of living was probably the lowest in Texas. She loved the people, and the people loved her. If there were more opportunities in the town's technology field, she would be happy to stay, but there wasn't. She knew she had to leave.

Today at work, a stranger in town ordered a latte from her, and she struck up a conversation with him. He was tall, handsome, and had the biggest smile she had ever seen. He looked to be her age as well, maybe one or two years older. She found him interesting and even more so when she heard that he was from Austin. She told him her plans, and he thought that was a great plan for her to pursue. By the time he left, she felt she had made her first friend from Austin and made sure she took down his name and phone number. She spent so much time talking about herself that she didn't think to ask him what he did for a living or anything pertinent in his life. She suddenly felt so shallow and self-centered. It had all been about her. Well, she had his number and promised to call him when she finally arrived in Austin.

Valaria was closer to her dreams coming to fruition as the months went by since she had sent her application to the University. She was also getting ready to graduate in May, which was only a month away. Valaria was on pins and needles, waiting to find out if she was accepted. It seemed like an eternity. She held off on asking Mr. Morales to contact the school to help her find out sooner. She needed to work on her patience. She already had a place set up to live. It was a family friend's house that they rented out to students each year. She was so anxious to move. The month of April seemed to tick slowly on the clock, and she started to become a nervous wreck.

Then one day, she received a package wrapped in brown paper. It was small, and it came to her work address. She had no clue as to what could be in it, and there was no return address. She didn't want to open it at work if it was a prank joke from a friend to embarrass her! She decided to wait and bring it home with her to open. She got sidetracked when she was home, sat the box on her bench by the front door, and forgot all about it.

The following week flew by, and she still had not heard from the University. She was so frustrated and disappointed. She finally decided to ask Mr. Morales to help her find out. She approached him after class and explained the situation. She needed to find out because she had plans to move right after graduating and then start classes during the summer semester. He agreed to help and told her not to worry and wait it out.

She thought back over her life and realized worry never solved anything. It only made life more difficult. If things didn't work out, she had a job, a home, family, friends, and a good life. She had nothing to make her worry. What happens will happen no matter what. Reflecting on this calmed her soul, and she felt her worry dissolve; she felt free.

The following week, Mr. Morales told her he had contacted the University about the application she had sent in. Since they had her return address as the Bookstore and not her home address, they sent out her acceptance letter with a University of Texas t-shirt, and it would have been in a small box. He asked her if she had received one. She had and not opened it. It was still on the front door bench where she had left it. She had forgotten she changed her address on her application because their home mail didn't have a secure box. She didn't want to risk not getting it.

She went home and quickly found the box sitting where she left it unopened. She unwrapped it or, more like, ripped it to shreds, and there in the box was her letter, a t-shirt, and a handwritten note. The note read in the most beautiful cursive writing a personal message addressed to her.

Dear Valaria,

It was so lovely to have met you while traveling through your beautiful town. I enjoyed our talk and can't wait to see you here at the University. Hopefully, you remember me from the Bookstore while you served coffee. I work as a graduate student in the technology department, which you didn't know, and I should have told you. Hope to be friends while you are here.

Yours truly, Benjamin

Her dream was coming true, her ambition was now in focus, and her friends in a strange new town just grew by one even before she has arrived. How does the phrase go? Don't worry, be happy, and life is good!

This was first published on vocal. Media as a writing challenge July 2021.

The Friendship Garden: Marigold and Violet

The twilight was illuminating in the distance while I faced west toward the water. It had a subtle glow with red streaks across the sky that slowly moved down into the horizon. I balanced myself on the large rock that stood in the center of a small pool of water. The tiny canals that circled the rock were dug earlier in the day by a group of kids. It was a beautiful night, one to remember.

Today was also the first anniversary of my best friend passing from this life to the next. I was here at the beach remembering her life and our life as best friends forever (BFF). We were two inseparable twins from different parents who thought we would both grow old together while celebrating all the marriage milestones to our future spouses, children, birthday parties, and everything in between. I was here to celebrate her and toast to her memory.

I sat down on the rock, reached into my shoulder bag, and pulled out a large bottle of red wine. It was her favorite. We would come to this beach a lot while growing up and when we were finally able to drink, we would buy the wine and sit on this ancient rock and talk about our plans in life. We both knew what we wanted and pledged not to do anything without each other in our life. We were sisters, not by blood, but by bond.

I raised my glass after pouring a full one and toasted out loud to Marigold Nevaeh Martin! People, even her parents, called her Mari except for me. I always said she was the flower in my life, and I called her by her given name, Marigold. We often joked that the flower smelled terrible, but the bloom was beautiful like her. She had flaming red hair, so it was a perfect name. My name, on the other hand, was not as unique. It was Caren. Always mispronounced and spelled with a k instead of a c, so Marigold renamed me. I became a flower and our friendship a garden. I was no longer called Caren by her, but instead, she renamed me, Violet.

As I sat on the rock and drank my first of several glasses of wine, my mind flooded with memories. We lived down the street from each other, only a few blocks from the beach in Seattle, Washington. We went to daycare as infants together, then all through school until we graduated from the same University. It was bizarre to some but natural for us. We even majored in the same field of criminal justice. The only difference is she became a police officer, and I became a corporate paralegal.

Marigold's middle name was Neveah, which is heaven spelled backward. It fit her perfectly, and it was symbolic of another difference we didn't share. As I sat on the rock and shared my thoughts with her, I knew where she was. You see, she believed in something more than what we see in this life, yet I didn't. Well…I didn't until that awful night.

Marigold had been on patrol one dark moonless night and spotted a stranded motorist on the freeway. She had made sure to secure the area with flares and her patrol car lights, but even with that, it didn't stop the speeding car from barreling toward them. In a flash of just mere seconds, she pushed a young mother who was the car's driver into a ditch and took the hit head-on. Marigold was gone instantly. She didn't suffer at all. I always knew she would practice what she preached, "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." At work and in her personal life, she was everyone's friend. She always treated people she arrested with respect. She disapproved of their crimes, but she wasn't there to be their judge and jury.

So I lifted high the last glass of red wine with my arm outstretched toward the horizon and toasted my BFF while the light of the moon silhouetted me. I know now that I will see her again, and that is what consoles me. That is what I know to be true.

Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

This was first published on vocal. media as a writing challenge July 2021.