A reunion of Mums

1

A reunion of mums2

The virus had struck so quickly, one moment Grace, a healthy young woman in her mid thirties who worked full time as a personal fitness trainer, was forced to cut short her thrice weekly routine with a client. 3

Next to her husband and two daughters, fitness had been her number one priority in her life.4

As she unlocked the front door to her home she made straight for the water cooler in the kitchen, she was burning up and sweat ran from her flushed face.5

Half an hour later her husband Ben returned home from work to finding her vomiting in the toilet.6

“What’s wrong honey he asked with some concern in his voice, is it something you ate?7

She stared at him and shook her head, her pale features looked ghastly and her lips were flaked with dried vomit.8

He ran a facecloth underneath the cold tap and gently wiped her mouth; taking a thermometer from the first aid kit in the medicine cabinet he placed it under her tongue.9

The reading had been one hundred and four.10

He was starting to panic now Grace was never ill; he lifted her limp body from the bathroom floor and carried her through to bed. 11

Grabbing the phone he phoned the emergency doctor; and then taking a packet of aspirin from the first aid kit gave her two, hoping that they would help reduce her temperature.12

He sat on the edge of the bed to await the arrival of the doctor, all the while trying to cool her burning body with a damp cloth.13

Three days later despite their best efforts, Grace Passed away.14

She had never had a fear of dying, always having held the belief that death was the doorway to life, and that those loved ones who had already made the trip, would welcome her when she walked through the portal.15

And anyway, if it were not true, what difference would it make?16

When Grace next opened her eyes she found herself lying on a bed in the centre of what appeared to be a gazebo, all around her was radiant light that in no way hurt the eyes. 17

Raising herself up onto her elbows she looked around her, as far as she could see flowers of every description and colour, covered green grassy knolls.18

Moments later her attention was drawn to what looked like a lion with a great brown mane, lying in the long grass beside a gazelle.19

As her senses became more acute; she started to notice more and more, she watched in wonderment as doves and hawks perched side by side on the branches of trees. All around this beautiful landscape former hunters and hunted lived at peace with each other.20

"Ah, you’re awake at last Grace a familiar voice said, how are you feeling?21

"Mum she asked turning towards the sound of the voice, is it really you?22

A handsome woman who looked to be about thirty came towards the bed, "yes my darling daughter she said taking hold of her hands, it really is me". 23

But how could it be her mother, she had been in her seventies when she passed over. 24

It was as if the woman had read her mind. 25

"Everything will be explained later my darling; in the meantime just lie there and rest, you have to regain your strength". 26

"Oh, by the way darling she said smiling, there are others waiting to greet you." 27

Getting to her feet she smiled and said “I have to leave you for a short while darling, but I’ll return very soon".28

Grace watched as she turned and walked away, she sounded so much like her mother, but could it really be her? Her mother had been an old lady when she died.29

Time it seemed did not appear to exist in this wonderful place of light, at least not time as she knew it. 30

So many things were going on around her; she suddenly became aware of the sound of wonderful music, accompanied by what sounded likes a choir.31

Sometime later as she looked out over an ever changing panorama she caught sight of three women walking towards her, one she recognised straight away as the woman who had spoken to her earlier.32

As they came nearer she was struck by their unmistakable likeness to one another, all were of similar age, and could have been sisters.33

Walking through the arch of the gazebo where she lay they approached her bed, one who was slightly smaller than her companions quickened her step.34

"How are you Gracie she said, and with arms wide she embraced her.35

"Come on Matilda, give someone else a chance" said the tallest of the trio, stepping towards Grace.36

With all three women sitting around the bed, her mother who was holding her hand said, “It’s time to reintroduce you to Grandma Grace who you were named after. And this lady she said placing an arm around her shoulder is your Great-Gran, Jennifer".37

By the end of it all tears of joy ran down her cheeks, there were no doubts now about death being the gateway to life.38

Getting to her feet, Grace opened her arms wide and all four embraced. 39