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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Day's End (01/01/14)
As George looked at the sunset the irony of the day's fading light struck him solidly in the pit of his stomach. Emotions boiled as he turned sharply back into the room. "This cannot be happening!"

"George, you need to accept this."

"No! It just can't happen like this. Twenty years of marriage. I don't want to spend the rest of my life without you."

"It's going to be, George. There is nothing you can do to change it or to stop me going. No matter how difficult it is to understand, I don't want to stay here anymore."

"But I thought you loved me?" The question sprang like a trap.

"There are some things that even our love cannot change. Loving you has been an exciting journey, but that journey has now changed direction. George, we need to face this reality."

"I can't believe you're talking to me like this. Stop it."

"George, pain is something we've both become familiar with over the last twelve months. Don't you think I'm hurting too?"

"Ohhh, Sally. How can you ask me that? This pain is ripping my insides out. The death of our son was more than we could bear. How could God be separating us as well? I won't cope without you. I don't want to cope without you!"

The moisture ran down George's cheek as he broke the fixed stare he had on Sally's eyes. Tightening his fists he spun in anger towards the window. His inner turmoil became too much as he staggered a few steps and slammed his anger down on the window sill.

"NO!"

"George, please come and sit her beside me. We need to face this. We still have a daughter. She'll need you to deal with this better than you are."

"Oh Sally, don't you think I know that. I... I can't do this any better right now."

"Sit. Come on, sit here beside me."

Slowly, like weaving through broken glass, the shattered man approached the bed. "I don't want you to die, darling." Agony rolled down his cheek and dripped onto his shirt, his broken heart visible in every tear.

"My time has come, honey. There is nothing we can do about it. We must accept it in faith. But darling, the end of this day on earth is the beginning of a new day in heaven for me. I don't want to leave you, but I don't want to stay here in this pain either."

"I know, my love. I don't want you to suffer any more. Why can't God just heal you?"

"Look at me, come on, tie those wonderful eyes to mine. Look deep. You see pain, but no fear. George junior's death wasn't easy, but it did change our lives forever; in a way that we didn't expect. If Georgie didn't die we may never have met Jesus. Remember that awesome pastor who taught us that death wasn't real? It's a lie, remember? Eternity isn't just a promise, it's the real truth."

"Oh baby, I know. But right now that's a difficult pill to swallow."

Wiping away his tears with a frail hand, Sally let her fingers softly trail over her husband's cheek. "I don't expect you to be strong right now, but I do expect you to realise that this is only the end of one day. Eternity together follows this day just as surely as morning follows the darkness of night."

"You are one incredible lady. Where do you find faith at a time like this?"

"We didn't find faith, darling. It found us when our son died. And it will find you again. Remember Pastor John? He told us we should start a ministry helping grieving parents. George, you are a writer, and a good one. Start that ministry, darling..." Sally touched her husband's lips as he started to interrupt. "I know, I don't mean today. First you need to help Susan. She is going to really need you to be a daddy, one who shows her a true Heavenly Daddy. Teach her real faith, darling. Bring her home to me."

"I promise."

"That's better. Now go and get her so I can say 'See ya later, alligator.' Remember my darling, this is not goodbye."
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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This article has been read 805 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Virgil Youngblood 
01/09/14
Outstanding faith on display here. Well done.
Jan Ackerson
01/10/14
I’d love to have your input into the free writing lessons available on the FaithWriters forums. This week’s lesson is on writing devotionals, and next week will cover writing on topic for the weekly challenge. Look for it at http://www.faithwriters.com/Boards/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=67, or if you’re on Facebook, you can “like” Faithwriters Writing Lessons.
Francy Judge 
01/11/14
So sad, yet lovely with a great message and testimony of faith. Great job!
C D Swanson 
01/11/14
The emotions and the pain the MC felt leapt off the pages. The amazingly calm demeanor of his spouse as she lay dying is a very realistic portrayal of people with faith, I've seen this so many times in my life. I believe that Jesus provides full comfort and peace prior to their last breath.

Excellent work here and a prime example of how faith will lead you to peace...

God bless~
Linda Goergen
01/12/14
Wow, this is packed with vivid, realistic and powerful detail and emotion that takes hold of the reader! The beginning fooled me though; I thought the wife wanted a divorce. Perfectly on topic with its parallel views of “day’s end” with the added bonus of its message of faith! This is my absolute favorite of the entries I have read…it is just outstanding!
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
01/12/14
Ahh this really grabbed at my heart. The dialog was superb and really helped develop the characters. I didn't see the twist coming either and I'm always thrilled when that happens.
Virginia Lee Bliss 
01/13/14
I found this story highly engaging. It kept my attention from beginning to end. I too thought at first that the wife wanted a divorce.
Beth LaBuff 
01/13/14
Your story would be devastating (earthly speaking), but from eternity's viewpoint, Sally has it right. Your writing is poignant and powerful. Great work!
Judith Gayle Smith-Owens Vitouswykegardinerclark
01/13/14
Heartbreakingly beautiful. What a lovely portrayal of faith . . .
Danielle King 
01/13/14
WOW! Powerful and compelling! I also thought the marriage was breaking up, which I'm sure was your intention. The twist was cleverly left until you had us feeling hostile towards the wife, then you dropped the bombshell. Great writing and a wonderful portrayal of faith.
Jody Day 
01/13/14
Beautifully done. Love the faith expressed in this piece. I thought, "see you later, alligator" seemed a mite out of place. I get that the child probably talked that way, but it just jarred me. Just my opinion.

"this is only the end of one day. Eternity together follows this day just as surely as morning follows the darkness of night." Lovely!!
Carolyn Ancell
01/14/14
Very poignant read, with it's twist. Faith-filled. Thank you.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
01/17/14
Congratulations on ranking 34 overall!