Ascension Day Reflection

This is a story, an exercise in imagination. It is based on my thoughts about what may follow this life. All we know is that Jesus told his people that he was going to prepare a place for them and that in His Fathers house there are many rooms. Jesus will be waiting for us.

I find myself walking through a forest, I can’t recognize the trees. They seem to be different in some way; as were some exotic birds flying above. As delightful as it all seemed I was a sad as I had said goodbye to those I loved. As I walked along it seemed to me that Nelson would love this run, ahead I began to see water and the path turned to the left to run along the side of a lake. Behind me I hear a sound then as I turned Nelson appeared round the bend and ran to me. As he usually did, he pushed against me for a back rub. It was so good to have my furry friend with me.

As I walked along the lakeside I began to smell something, wood smoke I think, and something else. Cooking. Suddenly I was hungry. Another bend in the path and a house started to come into view between the trees.  It was a wooden house, a bit larger than a cabin but not huge. As I moved closer I could see a boat, partly made and resting on trestles. Behind it a man was bent over a wooden box, steam was coming from inside so I figured that it was a steam box to soften planks to bend on the bottom of the boat. As he turned to me I could see who it was. 

Pops Dierden was my grandfather, everyone called him Pops. He worked in a foundry and in his spare time he made the sets for the Gravesend Dramatic society. Amazing sets. I love him, his gentle strength and quiet nature was so appealing. And here he was a few yards away. Nelson ran over to him to be fussed, he clearly knew him. Maybe he had been living with him. Pops spotted me and gestured for me to come over, “come and see how I’m getting on”. He didn’t seem surprised to see me, as I walked over he put an arm around me, showed me the boat and led me indoors. There was Nanna by the stove.  These dear people who I hadn’t seen for decades, so good to be with them.

Lunch was a lamb roast, with gravy and mash. My favourite. As we were clearing the plates Nanna pulled a cherry pie out of the oven. Pops smiled, “He will probably call by soon, He seems to know when there is pie cooking, with custard”. I don’t know who he is talking about . A sharp knock on the door and Pops got up, then he stood back and motioned me to open it. The man at the door had a smile, a knowing smile. As if he knew me. “I’m Jesus, welcome home”.

Dick Martin