An Angel’s Confession

“Are you here for a confession, my dear child?” the priest asked.

“Perhaps a confession, or perhaps a simple suggestion as I am deeply troubled by my current situation,” the lady in white said from the other side of the confession stand.

“My dear child, please describe your situation that is troubling you so much. If you need my help or suggestions, you can count on me,” the priest replied.

“I am paying dearly for a sin I committed. I am a married woman, yet I am also deeply in love with another man. He is currently in an ICU fighting for his life. While my heart yearns to see him for one last time and say goodbye, I am unable to visit him as his family is there around the clock.”

“My dear child, now I know who you are. The man you love is also a very good friend of mine. Whenever he talks about you, I can see the radiance in his face. I know he loves you with all his heart. By the way, I visited him last night at the hospital. I was greatly distraught to see him struggle to hang on to the last lungful of air, perhaps to see you one last time, too. He has always been very candid with me about his opinions and activities. While he does not believe in religion, he has been a true devotee of the Lord. We spent many evenings talking not only about spirituality but also about other aspects of our daily lives. Whether one agrees or disagrees with him, I noticed he forms a very firm opinion on issues he deeply cares about. His mind revolts against the silly and untenable customs and rituals we humans strongly believe in and religiously practice. He believes, those customs and rituals are created by the averages, meant for the averages and perpetuated over the centuries by the averages.”

“Since you now know who I am and the terrible distress I am in, as the agent of the Lord, please tell me what I should be doing. As you said, his suffering perhaps lingers as he may be waiting to hear the final goodbye from me.”

“My dear child, I do not consider myself the agent of the Lord, nor do I have any power to unite both of you for a parting goodbye. I suggest you communicate with the Lord directly and ask for His blessings. From my friend I know you have the heart of an angel, so the Lord will listen to your prayer and may grace you with a miracle. Please sit down by His feet and talk to Him from your heart.”

She sat down by His feet and prayed, “Oh Lord, please take me to him for one last time. He promised me he wouldn’t leave without saying the final goodbye to me. If I have committed a sin, I am amenable to even the harshest punishment my sin deserves, but please make it a deferred occasion.”

As she opened her eyes, she realized even the Lord felt her heart-wrenching pain and anguish. To her indescribable wonder, she noticed streams of tears were flowing down from His eyes onto her face. Having been awestruck watching this miraculous event, the priest remarked, “The Lord is merciful. He looks at your heart, and when He sees your heart is as clear as that of an angel, He can only bestow grace and mercy. He has opened the door for a miracle for you.” The priest turned around and continued, “My dear child, please wait. I have a gift for you from your friend.”

The priest returned momentarily and said, “My dear child, your friend has left this birthday card for you. He wanted to present this card to you on your next birthday, but as his condition was fast deteriorating he asked me to hold on to it for you.”

The card contained a hand-written poem that not only reminded her how much he always loved and adored her, but she also felt his pain for not being ritually together in this life:

She is moving away from my heart and soul; Oh God, I need your help and comfort to console.

My hands are tied and I am old and feeble, please tell her to be kind or else my heart will tremble.

Unworthy of her, but my restless heart fears to dwindle; cherished face and fond memories will slowly frail my soul.

Granted her beauty is grand, granted her deeds are noble; offered my heart, given my soul, yet she is unattainable.

Empty heart, barren soul, just left with insurmountable; Oh God, I need your help and comfort to console.

That evening as she tried to visit her friend’s ICU unit, she did not see a single member of his family or a close friend there. The attending nurse cheerfully accompanied her inside his unit and turned the bedside lights on. As she gently held his hands and started reading the poem for him, he slowly opened his eyes and smiled at her. She then rested her chin on his chest to watch his face she loved and listen to the heart she esteemed. He was also staring at her with open eyes -- just still.

“I am so sorry about your husband. My deepest condolences,” the nurse whispered.