I. PASSAGE TO EARTHSCHOOL
“Don’t worry: it’s only temporary. No one ever gets stuck in there forever,” the tall smiling angel teased. “Folks always manage to find the way back home. Anyway, you’re on a timer. When it gets down to zero, bingo: you’re out of there—whether you think you’re ready to Graduate or not. Gonna be fun to see what name they pick for you when you show up on the scene.”
“You’ve been briefed. Of course, you’ll not remember much once you get there—but your Guardian will watch over you every step of the way. He’s getting graded, too, by the way. Well, babe, if you don’t remember anything else, know this: you are mightily loved, and we’ll bring you back home safely: it’s a promise.”
With that, the door slid silently open and Zee entered her glowing cocoon and settled in. She lay awake for awhile, watching the colors and patterns on the misty pearlescent ceiling. Truthfully, she was a bit pensive; but mostly, she was excited. It had been an honor to be Chosen, and she would do her very best. Besides, with her giftings, it should be a piece of cake! She smiled, “Oh yeah! Bring it on!” she thought, then closed her eyes and slept.
With knowing smiles, the angels sealed her in.
II. FIRST MEMORY
Zee awoke with a start, then froze. She was laying face down on a beach of soft, smooth white. Slowly she lifted her head enough to see the horizon stretching away from her in an infinite gray line. Meeting the horizon was a sky of smooth, soft white. The ceiling today was quite low. In fact, she realized, it was skimming the top of her head. Whoa! Where WAS she? Where was THIS?
" I can barely move," she realized, gasping, panic rising in her throat. "There's NO WAY
The horizon was closer than she thought. When she reached it, still flat on her belly, she realized the sky closed down on the beach. Hmmm, no sea in sight! There was just no getting beyond this point. She inched her way to the right, running her fingers along the horizon line. It fell off abruptly. "Alright, Zee," she told herself, "You got in here somehow—there must be a way out! Just keep going and you'll find it." She decided once and for all not to panic.
Finally at peace and exhausted, she drifted back to sleep. Time later to find that way out. For now, she was safe.
III. HAPPY DREAMS
The stewardess was standing over her with a basket of fresh fruit. “Would you like some fruit?” she asked kindly. Zee stared at her, unbelieving. She was sure the nice lady in the uniform was crazy. The air was close, hot and stuffy, and none too fragrant. How many children on this flight had just barfed, anyway?
Zee herself was sweaty and sticky, and had recently emptied the contents of her stomach into a handy paper bag. How could this woman be offering her food??
She felt settled and knew when everything was okay -- when it was. But
there were definitely times and places and people and things that were just NOT
okay. Then she felt bad. And afraid.
But sometimes she was just plain indignant -- like right now. Really? Really?? The very last thing she wanted
was something to eat.
