Finally Home~Milly Callum

Finally Home

“No!” I screamed in agony. I wanted so much to talk to him at that moment. “I can hear you!” I yelled. “I can hear every word. I love you too, Tod” I fell to the floor. “…so much.” I whispered. I regained my composure quickly, as I saw Alana walking toward me. She stooped down to my level.
“No tears past the gate.” She said simply, handing me a handkerchief. I sniffed and wiped my eyes with the cloth.
“I know.” I whispered. “but why can’t he hear me? Why can’t I talk to him?” My tears were flowing freely now.
“You were not of the world, but in it. You left the world behind, severing all conection as you went.” She answered. “You were given this gift because you asked for it.”
I dreaded that day now, yet my mind seemed all too happy to relive it.

I knelt before my father, humbling myself, completely speechless.
“Rise up,” He commanded. “My good and faithful servant. I am pleased.” I looked up, shocked. I didn’t understand.
“Lord, there…there must be some mistake. I’m no one. I’m not even worthy of looking at you. How can you call me a good and faithful servant?” I stood, gaping at his mercy, his love…for me.
“You forget,” He said. “You are also my child. What can a child do that would turn it’s creator away from it?” He asked.
I thought for a moment. My mind flashed back to an old song our church teachers had taught the class when I was little. It played in my head, a light, but happy melody.
“Absolutely nothing.” I said, smiling as the words passed my lips. He smiled down at me.
“I see you remember your many years at my house. Anyone who searches within your heart, as I have, will see plainly that you were at your happiest when visiting my home. You found friendships there that last to this day. It was your escape from the life you were forced to live.” He reached to touch my cheek. “You were devastated when you were forced to leave.” I lifted my arm to take hold of His wrist. When I touched Him, a warm pulse flowed through my body, matching the beat of my heart. He stepped back, and my hand fell limp at my side. The warmth of his touch stayed with me as he went.
“You have read in my scriptures that I shall grant you your heart’s desire. So tell me child. What is it that lays closest to your heart?” He asked.
I thought about the carefully. I stood and thought. I was certain at least half an hour had past when I spoke. “I want to see my family and friends. To be able to watch over them.” He smiled a warm, knowing smile.
“And so you shall, my darling.” He cupped his hands and put them together, reminding me somewhat of a prayer. A bright light began to shine from inside his hands. It became so bright that I had to shield my eyes. Seconds later, the light seemed to disappear and I lowered my arms from in front of my face.
He stood holding an engraved box of pure gold. It was an oval shape with a hinged top. There was intricate engravings all around it, depicting beautiful hanging vines. Hidden throughout the vines were colorful wild, and exotic flowers like I’d never seen before. He held it out to me, silently asking me to take it. I took it from Him and held it gingerly in my hands.
“What is it?” I asked, examining the scarlet script engraved on the lid. “Milly.” I read.
“It will give you the ability to look back on the place you left. Now, do not misunderstand me.” I looked up at Him, listening intently.
“You have no connection to earth through this.” He pointed at the box. “You may see your friends and know their thoughts, but you may not communicate with them. You may not appear to them in any way. Do you understand?”
My eyes stayed fixed on His face as I answered. “I do.” I looked down and realized for the first time how perfectly the box fit into my hands.
“And now,” His hand swept across the blank landscape that was Heaven. “Your mansion awaits.” He waved His hand in the direction of a large building, not unlike a palace. I gasped.
“That’s where I live?” I asked, not even believing my own words. “I...that’s my house?” I looked up at him, like a child might look to his father, silently questioning if a situation was really happening. He simply nodded. I looked one last time at the gorgeous building before me, before running up the silver-white steps. I opened the door and gasped. I had just stepped into the church. It was exactly the same. My father appeared behind me and spoke
“Like I said before, this is where you are happiest. This is where you will stay. This is your home. I shall leave you now, but I will be just a call away if you ever have need of me.” I looked up at him. I wrapped my arms around him and held tight. He hugged me back. What could I say? I was home.