By Harry Watts

The old man stirred at the sound of raised voices outside his room. He could barely make out the argument, but the intensity of it grated on his nerves. Moments later, the voices moved down the hallway, leaving a blessed silence in their wake. He sighed, turning his head slightly on the pillow, and looked around the dimly lit room.

She was there. Sitting quietly in her usual spot, her presence radiating peace. She noticed he was awake and rose gracefully, moving to his bedside. Her hand, warm and familiar, gently caressed his. “Hello, darling,” she said, smiling down at him. Tears welled up in his eyes as she stroked his arm.

“It’s almost time,” she said softly.

He blinked, his vision adjusting to the growing glow in the room. Behind her, others began to emerge from the light. His breath caught as he recognized his mother and father, their faces younger and healthier than he remembered. His brother stood beside them, his smile wide and welcoming. And then, there was a small child, stepping forward hesitantly, her golden curls catching the light.

The room seemed to shimmer, filled with an otherworldly radiance. The figures glowed with a golden aura that he could both see and feel—a warmth and love that reached the deepest corners of his soul. His wife sat gently on the bed, her presence grounding him in the moment.

“I believe you know everyone,” she said, her voice steady, “except Kathy.”

She turned and pulled the small girl into her arms. The child smiled shyly and looked at him with wide, curious eyes.

“Kathy,” he whispered, his voice trembling.

“Hello, Daddy,” the girl said, her voice soft but confident.

Tears streamed down his face as he reached out a trembling hand. She stepped forward and grasped it, her small fingers fitting perfectly into his. “I’ve waited so long to meet you,” he said, his voice breaking with emotion.

“And I’ve waited for you,” she replied, her voice filled with love. “Mommy always told me about you. I’ve loved you my whole life.”

His wife smiled as Kathy climbed onto the bed and rested her head on his chest. He held her close, stroking her golden curls with a shaking hand. Memories flooded his mind, filling the room with a tapestry of joy and pain.

Years ago, in the steaming jungles of Vietnam, he had torn open a letter from his wife, hungry for news from home. The letter had brought joy beyond words: she was pregnant with their first child, and he would be home in time for the birth. He had written back immediately, pouring his love and excitement into the short note before returning to the relentless march of duty.

But days later, his unit was ambushed. He was wounded and taken prisoner, enduring three years of captivity with no word from home. When he was finally freed and returned, his heart had leaped as he spotted his wife breaking through the crowd to greet him. But his joy had been tempered by devastating news: their daughter, Kathy, had died of cancer just days before his release.

For decades, he carried the pain of never meeting her, of never holding her in his arms. The years passed, and death claimed his father, his brother, and finally his beloved wife. Now, in his hospice bed, he had resigned himself to a solitary end.

A few nights ago, as he teetered between sleep and wakefulness, the angel had come. She appeared beside his bed, her golden aura filling the room with light and warmth. He had felt her presence before he saw her, and when their eyes met, he felt a peace he had never known.

“Who are you?” he had asked, his voice frail but tinged with awe.

“I am here with a message for you,” she had said, her voice like music. “Your time is short. Soon, your life on earth will end, and your pain will be no more. But not tonight. When it is time, your loved ones will come to guide you home. Do not be afraid. God, who is love, is everlasting. Only love is real, and love will bring you home.”

Now, surrounded by his family, her words came rushing back to him. His wife’s hand rested on his, grounding him as Kathy’s head nestled against his chest. The warmth of their love radiated through him, washing away decades of pain and loneliness.

His mother leaned down and kissed his forehead, her eyes shimmering with joy. His father and brother placed their hands on his shoulders, steadying him as if to help him rise. Kathy whispered, “It’s time, Daddy. We’re all here to bring you home.”

The golden light in the room grew brighter, filling every corner with a brilliance that no earthly eyes could fully comprehend. He closed his eyes, surrendering to the love that surrounded him, and felt his spirit lift.

As he followed his family into the light, he thought of the angel’s words: “Only love is real.”

And in that moment, he knew it was true.

• A Tale of Two Caterpillars
• Behold the Lamb
• Branches of Memory: A Tale of Friendship and Loss
• God in Modernity
• Going Home
• Guilt and Grace
• Home
• The Encounter
• The Innkeeper
• The Journey Home
• The Last Goodbye
• The Last Sunset
• The Redeemer