Merry-Go-Round

In the East Street Nursing Center , Marie sat motionless in front of the window. Marie had not spoken in months. She had no strength, no energy, and breathing was difficult. At the age of 89, she knew things were drawing to a close for her. However, she did not want to die. Marie did not respond to others, which is sometimes the case with those persons who are at the last stages of life.

It was about noon, and a man came into Marie's room and he sat down in front of Marie so she could face him and he could face her.

Enonocktu: Marie, I know you cannot speak, so we will talk with each other through our thoughts. I have a special gift in that I can hear your thoughts just like you would speak if you had your ability to speak. My name is Enonocktu but you can call me Enon.

Marie: Read my thoughts? I am too tired to think. So what did I think Enon?

Enonocktu: You just thought you were too tired to think.

Marie: Well, I guess you can read my thoughts. What do you want with me?

Enonocktu: Marie, I came to take you home. Do you know what I mean?

Marie: Yes, you came to kill me. You came to make me dead. I am too tired to live so you came to take my life away and then I will be dead. You are the angel of death, aren't you?

Enonocktu: Marie, you have some very wrong ideas. I am not the angel of death, I am the angel of life. People might say I am a transfer agent. I help people get from here to where they are supposed to be. I did not come to kill you or take away your life. I came to give you a new life free of all kinds of suffering.

Marie: I am sorry if I seem harsh. I do not want to live any more and I do not want to die. I have suffered all of my life. I am tired but I am afraid to die.

Enonocktu: Marie, there is no such thing as death. For you, there is life eternal. When you accepted Christ, He made a special place for you in heaven. There is nothing to be afraid of. The reason I came to you is so you will not be afraid. God knows you are afraid and that is why He sent me here today.

Marie: I am sorry I am harsh. I used to be a person full of love and compassion but all my pain and troubles have turned me somehow. I do not want to go. I suppose if there is no choice, I will have to go.

Enonocktu: Marie, I will escort you across. What you will see when you cross over is beyond your imagination to conceive. You will be immersed in love, compassion, and beauty beyond my ability to put into words.

Marie: Will I see Ronald? My heart still breaks because of his death. It was about 60 years ago and he was just a boy. Caught some kind of fever and he did not last long. My life was torn forever after he died.

Enonocktu: Marie, Ronald is waiting for you. You will see him again. Ronald is a little older, perhaps 20 or 21, but he is waiting for you. There are so many others. Just about all the people who have gone before you will be there. You will have a fantastic reunion. And you have a mansion. Just like the Bible says, you have a mansion waiting for you.

Marie: I never had a mansion in this life. I was always poor.

Enonocktu: Yes, I know. However, you are about to be very, very rich.

Marie: I was mostly a cleaning woman. I know how to keep things clean.

Enonocktu: Marie, there is no dirt in heaven. Things do not get dirty. Things do not need to be cleaned. Everything is totally and absolutely perfect and they stay that way. In heaven there is a lot of singing, praise, and happiness.

Marie: I am afraid. I am afraid it will hurt. You know, like when I breathe my last breath. Does it hurt? Does dieing hurt?

Enonocktu: Oh no. Dieing doesn't hurt when it is your time to see the Father.

Marie: Will I see Rascal? I still miss Rascal, even after all these years.

Enonocktu: Oh yes, all your dogs are waiting. You know that Rainbow Bridge thing? Pets get to cross something even better. Rascal has been very patient. To help you not be so afraid, I can tell you God has made a special place for you. Your special place is beyond ideal. Your special place is perfect for you in every way. Your special place has Rascal in it.

Marie: What about Dennis?

Enonocktu: You will not see Dennis. I cannot tell you anything other than you will not see Dennis.

Marie: We were married too many years. He was a mean and brutal man. I never grieved when he died.

Enonocktu: Don't worry, you will never see him.

Marie: Well, OK then.

Enonocktu: Marie, it is time we leave. I am going to take your hand and we are going to take a little ride. Do you hear the merry-go-round?

Marie: Well, yes I do hear a merry-go-round. It sounds like one of those music machines they have in the center of a merry-go-round at the fair. The merry-go-round was my favorite thing when I was a child. It would be great to see one again.

Enonocktu: Marie, give me your hand and stand up. Now, look over there. See the merry-go-round?

Marie: Yes, I do. Well, I feel young again. I feel like a kid again. And my hands, look at my hands. They look young.

Enonocktu: OK, the merry-go-round has stopped. Climb up on one of those horses and away we go.

Marie: (Now full of laughter and glee) Enon, is this the way we get there? On a merry-go-round?

Enonocktu: Yes, Marie, this is the way we get there...on a merry-go-round.

This article is fiction. The article first appeared in February, 2008, in the Virtual Church web site at http://www.shepherdscare.net

Any resemblance of the persons or characters in this story to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.