Family

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The sun was warm but the same could not be said for the howling winds. David’s body trembled in the beginning of a cold season. A little away, Carol stood watching him, making strange patterns of frustration on the small patch of sand that lined the otherwise green backyard. She was sixteen and she longed for the life, all the other’s had. But she had to be here on all her holidays. Well, she did not mind it when she was small, but it was different now. Very different!

The sound of a car screeching to a halt broke her contemplation of misery. It was Eddy, the coolest kid in her college and he had expressed his great liking for her, much to the jealousy of many. But she could not go out with him. Mom had been very pained at her outburst that morning, but nevertheless her decision was clear. Carol cannot go. As she waved to Eddy and blew some sweet kisses, she glimpsed David moving towards her waving rapidly. Saliva was dribbling from his mouth and his unkempt hair tussled wildly in the wind. As she turned to let loose her anger on David, Eddy was by her side. Eddy shook David’s hands and then whispered to Carol. It took but a moment for Carol to take a decision. Soon all three were taking a ride in the blue sports car. David in the back seat was grinning wildly and singing and laughing to his heart’s content while the lovebirds smooched and drove at great speed.

David was a healthy child but when he was two, he started to stop doing things, like going back in development. After many doctors and tests, the diagnosis was clear. David will not be like other children. He was special. While Martha and Stephen struggled to break this to Carol, she took it in her stride. David loved being with her and Carol would spend many an evening with David, sacrificing her many outings and friends. But David failed to grow and as age caught up with Carol, she found being with him a discipline she abhorred. To add to that, Stephen had to go to a far away place to work, in order to make both ends meet. The medical bills for David were not kind to the family. Carol had to live with much sacrifices, though Martha did many an odd job to give the best to Carol. Carol loved drawing and so she spent her time teaching David but it was a futile attempt. After years of trials and misfortunes, Carol gave up. Soon her prayers had one single request, “Lord, take away David. I don’t want him anymore.” The childish prayer grew into a hate in Carol’s mind and unknown to her parents, she sometimes hit David and tormented him with angry outbursts, clearly telling that she wanted him to die. But what made her very upset was that David always smiled at her. He took all the blows and scolding with a twinkle of his eye and a smile.

They had reached the college hall. A huge crowd had gathered there and all eyes were on this lovely couple. Carol had told David to stay in the car and then she forgot about him. As night spread its dark colors, Carol left with Eddy back to the car. It was only then, she remembered. He was not in the car. Her enquiries yielded no result. They searched in vain, but no David. Fear gripped Carol’s heart. And then she finally called her mother.

The search began. Many neighbors joined in, looking with surprise and sadness at Carol. Stephen arrived late the next night. David was still missing. As the news spread, helicopters were pulled in and the story about David spread. To make the situation worse, it started snowing heavily. The Stephens could only pray. They did not say a word to Carol but just held her hand warmly. Carol’s face was pale. Years of anger melted before the sorrow and guilt. She had killed her little brother, her David.

It was the third day when the college janitor found him. The body had started to decompose in the warmth of the storeroom. How he got in remained a mystery until they saw in a corner, where his right hand pointed to a huge piece of white cardboard, hastily rolled up. As Carol, her parents, neighbors and nearly the whole town gathered in the college premises, the white cardboard was opened out. In it was a dash of bright colors, colors of the sun, and the garden. David had somehow found the paints in the storeroom and decided to use them. But he always needed someone to help him and a little work exhausted him greatly. But his smiling face revealed the thankful fact that he had passed away in happiness.

As the family held the cardboard they traced a hazy feeble sketch of 4 people and two big hands outstretched. Scribbled below in a childish writing were the words

“M o m, D aaa d, C A r O l, meee.
Looov u.
mee home”

and in the bright spot which stood for the sun were found these words, dabbed in paint,
“ t han G C A r O L”

Are you someone who has a special person in your family? Then know God loves them more than anybody else and He will call them home one day, in all glory. Love them for they need you. Remember we all have our infirmities and are definitely imperfect before a perfect Holy God. But not even once, does He treat us in a bad way. His arms are always outstretched with compassion though we torment him so much. The least we can do is to reciprocate that deep love to our loved ones. This earthly life is a journey that will end one day, until then, love all your loved ones, especially those who are special.

Safe in the arms of Jesus
Ashley J P

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