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Topic: Blessed (11/29/04)
TITLE: HEAVEN GENTLY WHISPERED By Diane Johnson 12/02/04 |
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"It's a girl!" Dr. Gillespie shouted so loudly, that he startled everyone in the delivery room.
Oh, this was wonderful news for Evelyn and Wallace, who already had two sons, Wally Jr. and Robert. Just wait until the boys see their baby sister!
"I've always wanted a little Diane," Evelyn said more to herself than to anyone else.
But her thoughts were interrupted when the doctor yelled, "Nurse! Come quickly! There's another girl coming!"
"Twins?" whispered Wallace dumbfounded.
There was complete silence until Evelyn asked anxiously, "Is she OK?"
"She took a little longer getting here, but she'll be just fine," Dr. Gillespie assured them.
Evelyn and Wallace sighed with relief. Just think, two beautiful girls for the price of one. Well, the price of one pregnancy that is!
"I would like to name her Debra," Evelyn looked questioningly at Wallace. "Diane and Debra sound so nice together."
Wallace nodded yes with a smile.
And that's how we were born, like two peas in a pod and inseparable.
Although identical twins we were not, just in case you needed to tell us apart from afar, I wore pink, and Debbie wore blue. We dressed exactly alike, except for different colors. And when my sister Cathy came along two years later, well, with all the hand-me-downs, she got to wear everything!
HOME, July 8, 1968, 4:45 p.m.
It was the summer right before I was to enter high school. This particular day was hot, but beautiful and sunny. I was returning home from having a great time at my girlfriend's house.
As my house came into view, I immediately wondered why my dad's car was still in the driveway, because he should have left for work over an hour ago.
I walked through the front door into the living room and immediately halted.
No dad…just a lady friend from the neighborhood trying to comfort my mom.
I thought, "What in the world is going on?"
The neighbor looked at me sympathetically, and then she dropped a bombshell by saying, "I'm sorry honey, but your dad died today."
Then what felt like shrapnel, pierced my heart, and I could not bear its pain.
I felt like I too was going to die.
Clearly, all Hell had broken loose and was in Its glory.
Silently I pleaded, "Someone please help me -- I cannot not bear this pain!"
Suddenly from heaven came a gentle whisper, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
But I did not hear the whisper.
DEERBROOK NURSING HOME, April 21, 1970, 10:13 a.m.
"Time of death, 10:13 a.m." the doctor pronounced to the nurse who held Evelyn's medical chart.
Evelyn had died of cancer exactly one month after her twin's "Sweet 16" birthdays.
"I hate God!" I screamed to my oldest brother, who was now my legal guardian.
And even though I didn't know this "God," all I could think about was why would He do such a thing?
Oh, I cannot bear this pain.
Suddenly from heaven came a gentle whisper, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
But I could not hear the whisper.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, Easter, 1980, 10:45 a.m.
What on earth am I doing here? I should never have listened to my sisters. So what if this was their church. So what if it was Easter. This was crazy.
The pastor began his message, and strangely enough, I was captivated by it.
But this doesn't make sense. Why would Jesus die for me? Didn't He know that death was a Destroyer of happiness and only brought pain? Why would He allow this to happen?
Suddenly, pain pierced my heart, but this time it was not coming in, but going out!
Then my heart exploded with God's love…joy…peace…and a long awaited comfort.
So I walked down the aisle with my sister Debbie beside me and accepted Jesus as my Savior.
HEAVEN, Easter, 1980, Shortly Thereafter
"It's a girl!" exclaimed the Lord so loudly, that He startled everyone in the rebirthing room.
"Is she OK?" asked creation anxiously.
"She took a little longer getting here, but she'll be just fine!" the Lord assured them.