Page 357

Bed Of Leaves
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Chapter 25 - Page 357 - Jim And Rhasha's Big Event

   This was the town Jim built, and Rhasha loved it. She could see all the straw roofs and bamboo frameworks, all the streets and how they all tied together. Something caught her attention. She burst into tears.

   It was a little house across the street from the hospital. It was Her's and Jim's house. Agony gripped her and she sobbed violently. The little house would never be the same without Jim.

   Rhasha leveled off the plane at three hundred feet as she passed over the village. She never thought to climb higher. As the plane sliced through the sky at a hundred and forty miles per hour, Rhasha lifted her face toward heaven.

   "Father," she prayed, "please forgive me of my sins and have mercy on my soul. I love you, Father, and I don't blame you for wanting Jim in heaven, with you." Rhasha paused, struggling to gain control of her emotions. "Father," she cried, "I know you gave Jim to me because you love me, too."

   Rhasha felt the Holy Spirit embracing her. She released the steering wheel and wrapped her arms around herself. She felt as if she were returning God's embrace. A calmness came over her as she bathed in his warmth. She knew God was weeping for her pain. "Father," Rhasha said, "No matter what, I'll serve you as long as I live."

   A tall mountain range loomed before her. Its sheer cliffs dropped down to a green valley below. Rhasha was at peace with God now, but tears remained in her eyes. Talking to God and thinking about Jim, Rhasha didn't see the mountainside as it got closer.

   "Father," she said, "I wish you loved me the way you love Jim." Rhasha paused, blinking away tears. "I want to go to heaven so I can serve you for eternity. My life on earth is empty without Jim."

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