Heaven's Air

Written on January 21,2012~
But only printed now.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heaven's air smells like a frosty winter afternoon
before the snow arrives...

Heaven's air smells like lilacs, purple violets,
the damp green moss of spring...

Heaven's air smells like wheat roasting on its stalk
on a hot summer day
mixed in with the heady fragrance of honeysuckle
down by the river...

Heaven's air smells like leaves burning
in the distance on a plaid flannel shirt
kind of evening...

To keep you here
where every breath
relies on that blessed noisy oxygen machine
or to let you go
so you can breathe
untangled heaven's air...

To keep you here to see our worried smiles
or to let you go
see His strong untroubled face...

To hear the beep of the thermometer,
the doorbell ringing,
the nice voice saying,
"It's time for your medicine,"
and at 7:00, your favorite game show-
'Jeopardy,' with closed caption
so you wouldn't miss anything...

...or to hear the cheers of family long gone,
and choirs singing,
and His dear sweet voice saying,
"I've been waiting for you.
Well-done, my daughter."

To keep you here where you are not certain
of your purpose, your significance,
your security...
...or to let you go
where all is well...?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On April 18, shortly after 4:00 in the morning,
Mother took her last breath of earthly air
and then,
her first breath of fresh, unhindered, heaven's air.

And all is well.