“AWOL OUT OF HEAVEN” Based on a true story. (Featuring @bubblefantasy as Author)

"AWOL" an abbreviation for absent without leave: used to say that a member of the armed forces is away without permission:

Elaine had six children whom she loved dearly but Jimmy an artist was always the closest to her heart. He stayed with his mother until 36 when he finally got married. He had two beautiful children, a girl and a boy who he dearly loved.

Jimmy had a heart attack at the young age of 42. Elaine his mother, could not come to terms with Jimmy’s early death and as she mourned and yearned for him something strange started to happen.

Jimmy came to visit Elaine. The first time he appeared she said to him:” Jimmy did you "AWOL" out of heaven now, as you did when you were in the army to come and visit me”. While Jimmy was alive he missed his mother so much that he often "AWOLED" army to come and visit her. Of course he always got into big trouble and had to do extra duty for it but he didn't mind that at all as he loved her dearly.

Jimmy assured her every time, that he had asked permission to come and see her and with a loving smile on his face, he would kiss her forehead as he did during those army days. He visited her often during the next three years, giving her comfort and teaching her one of his favorite skills which she always admired and bragged about to all who was willing to listen. Jimmy kept on visiting Elaine until she had peace in her heart and came to terms with his death.

During this time while Elaine was morning Jimmy's death, she started painting, Her daughter from Canada came to visit her and could not believe her eyes finding her mothers house filled with beautiful paintings which strangely looked quite familiar. Susan asked her mother whose paintings it was brightening up the house, while looking at the one on the easel. She was quite taken aback as Elaine answered her that it was her paintings and that she is busy with the one on the easel but cannot seem to get it 100% to her liking. This came as a shock to Susan because her mother couldn't draw or paint to save her life.

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Susan continued by asking her mother when she started with art lessons. Her mother replied saying that Jimmy has been teaching her for the past three years. "It is impossible", Susan said, as Jimmy was dead and at first thought her mother is loosing it, but then she remembered that she thought the paintings looked familiar. The paint techniques were those of her deceased brother who was a well known and established artist. Chills ran down her spine as she realized her mother was telling her the truth.

Elaine saw Jimmy seven more times, each time in hospital after she had suffered a minor heart attack.

Jimmy would visit her and tell her to come home with him. He told her that her home was ready and that she would love being in heaven as it is always spring there. Jimmy also said that she need not be afraid as he is there to accompany her home, but Elaine felt that it was not her time to go yet, and that the other children and grandchildren needed her more.

With the seventh heart attack all the children lovingly but heartbroken told her she should let go. She must stop worrying about them, they will all be fine. Hearing these words she smiled at them all and said she was tired, and that they must always remember that she loves them. With these words they all came to kiss her goodbye one by one. She looked at them one last time and told them that Jimmy was there to accompany her home with and angelic smile on her face and with these words she finally let go with her last breath.

This was a story told to me by Elaine's daughter after her mother passed away. The names of the people have been changed though.

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Where do they go to?
Where do they go to, the people who leave?
Are they around us, in the cool evening breeze?
Do they still hear us, and watch us each day?
I'd like you to think of them with us that way.
Where do they go to, when no longer here?
I think that they stay with us, calming our fear
Loving us always, holding our hands
Walking beside us, on grass or on sand.
Where do they go to, well it's my belief
They watch us and help us to cope with our grief
They comfort and stay with us, through each of our days
Guiding us always through life's mortal maze.
Poem by KevF - 21st August 2007

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