Fog Frost

This Winter has been real tough. Really tough.

Not so much the weather. Cold and snow are the norm here. Some ice.

Not so much with the breaking down of things. Piping in the house. Car won't crank.

Cold does that. No, not so much that things go wrong.

No, not so much that at all.

It's been, let's see now, over 1400 days. 1400 days without my Shari.

God why did you leave me here in this cold place without my Shari? Why?

O, I'm grateful and praise You for the many years with my Shari. Over 40 it was.

You blessed us with fine children that now are on their own with their kids.

But now Lord, in this cold time, in my young twilight years, I'm alone.

The children don't visit anymore, Hell, they don't bother to call!

I think I have driven them away somehow Lord. How could I do that?

Not only am I alone Lord, I'm cold! So cold. So lonely.

I miss my Shari so bad!

I think the kids miss her too. Shari kept the communication going. Now . . . silence.

Enough of this pity party! I have to get moving. More coffee. Yes, that'll cheer me.

I move into the breakfast nook that Shari so loved.

Reaching the bay window I reach up and pull the curtains open.

AHHH! I take an unexpected gulp of air. The beauty beyond the window is awesome!

There must have been a heavy fog last night and the freeze froze the fog in place.

On everything. The tree leaves. The blades of grass. The top of the car.

Even on birds sleeping o so still on the branches.

Like a velvety diamond portrait of Elvis!

The morning golden rays of the Sun was reflected into so many brilliant shades of color.

Thank you Lord. Thank you.

I hurriedly pore a cup of steaming strong black coffee.

I find and put on my leather bomber jacket. Grabbing the cup of coffee I head out the door.

I stop on the back porch and let my eyes wander over the beauty before them.

Not a foot mark can be seen on the ground. Not a chirp is heard in the trees.

Just the slow rise of the Sun casting rays through the trees causing ever more rising
shadows at me. I slowly walk into the brilliance.

As I walk along sipping my coffee and soaking in the beauty I notice something else.

A dark shadow is slowly covering my heart. My depression of this morning is returning.

Not even this beauty can totally keep my loneliness at bay.

Eventually I reach an old tree stump in the middle of a glade not far from the house.

I brush the hoary frost from it and sit down. Peering into my now empty cup.

I put the cup down at the foot of the stump. Sitting upright I close my eyes.

I begin to cry. I place my face into my hands. I continue to cry.

I AM SO LONELY LORD!

I continue to cry.

Charles.

Barely a whisper.

Charles.

I stop crying.

Charles.

Is someone calling me? There is no one here but me. I want to cry some more. In my hands.

Charles. Look up.

I lower my hands. I raise my head. I slowly open my eyes. Before me is a tree.

On its lower branch sits a sparrow. Looking at me. The bird rubs its beak on the branch.

And hops along the branch. As birds want to do.

Did that sparrow just talk to me?

No Charles, I did.

I look to my right and . . . O My God!

There stood my Shari! All golden in the morning rays. I rug my eyes.

Shari?

Yes Charles. God has allowed me to see you. He has also given you this, she sweeps her
arms to indicate the landscape.

Why Shari?

God saw your distress and felt pity. He knows what is in your heart.

It's dark now Shari. Does He see that?

Of course Charles. Did you not feel a comfort when you opened the curtains?

Yes.

Did you not feel light hearted walking amongst this beauty?

Yes. But you weren't here to enjoy it with me.

But Charles I am here. I never left.

You died! Shari you died!

Only in body Charles. I'm alive in your mind. You keep me alive in your mind charles.

I suppose.

I love you so much Charles. But now I have to give you a message.

What?

God has a job for you. Once it is done, you and I will be together again. In beauty you
cannot imagine. Forever.

I'm to die then. Soon?

No dear. I cannot say when. Only God knows. Can you do this job, whatever it is for me?

Of course! I can't wait to be with you. What am I to do?

Sing.

Sing?!

Yes. Sing Charles.

I've not done any such thing in my whole life! I'm an engineer Shari, not a singer!

O but you are my dear. I've heard you. God has given you this gift since birth.

What?! Heard me? How?

God showed me. Don't you believe?

Uh, well, I, yes. God can do all things.

What am I to sing about?

Charles, your heart will tell you that because God gives messages by the heart.

OK. Can I touch you? Just once more?

Shari holds out her transluscent hands towards mine.

I take them into my palms. Slowly I close my fingers around hers.

Immediately I feel the warmth. Immediately my heart starts to race. Immediately I'm young.

Then, she's gone.

I stand there for a moment with my arms still out stretched with empty hands.

I look around. The frost is gone. The Sun is high in the sky.

I raise my face to the Sun to let the rays warm me.

Thank you Lord!

I turn and slowly walk to the house.