I wrote this short story after being blessed with the dream of my grandfather, whom I miss dearly. But I also realized that I wasn't praying as much as I should for my family. I recall this dream often for the memory of my grandfather and spiritual guidance for myself.

The Man in Overalls

I remember it as if it happened only yesterday. It was a strange but beautiful place. There was something mystical, yet familiar about my surroundings. Was it dëjăvu, had I been there before? I wasn’t sure. I stood for a moment looking at this enchanting place…a wonderful peace encamped around me. I felt as though I was in a parallel universe of some type. time seemed to motionless. The people were not rushing  urgently about trying to be somewhere on time. The smell that filled the air was a sweet and fragrant scent, that of orchards, and roses. There were no cars whisking along busy streets, but wait a minute...The streets were, could it be? Yes, they were made of what appeared to be gold. Where was I? How did I get here, and why? I stood there for a moment absorbing the serenity and the magnitude of what my eyes beheld.

I was startled from my thoughts when a hand gently brushed my arm. Turning in surprise I found my family standing by my side... "What are you…" Then a familiar voice spoke softly, a voice I hadn’t heard for more than twenty years. Could it be, but how? It wasn’t possible, why he had been…I was afraid to say it aloud. He’s been gone so long. Slowly I turned to see him standing before me in his denim bibbed-overalls a white pressed button up shirt, black shiny boots, and his gray hat, he was just as I remembered. He was right there smiling at me. Oh, I wonted so badly to reach out and touch him, but I couldn’t quite reach him. I finally uttered the words… "Papaw, what are you doing here, and where are we, are we…?"

"This is my new home. I’m happy here, it’s wonderful." He replied.
"Where’s Mamaw?" I asked with an unsure mind.
"You’ll see her later, now tell me who is this with you?"

"This is my son Jonathan, you remember him, well he was only three when you left. This is my daughter Bethany, you never met her, and this is my grandbaby Jozie, she’s only two. There are more…" I said turning to look for them. "But I’m not sure…where there at…"

Turning back around to ask more questions, I saw him walking slowly away. "No! I’ve got so much more to say…"
He simply said, "I’ll see you later, it’s not your time right now. But please promise me this, keep living as you are living so I will see you again one day."
"I will…but." Then he was gone as quickly as he had came.



I awoke with one thought that morning…why wasn’t my other family members there? I felt the need to pray a little more for those who were absent on our journey to heaven on that very special night.
 

Written By: Joyce Bowling
Copyright September 27, 2006
All rights reserved