I don’t like to talk about what happened to me much because people would think I’m crazy, although, people already think I’m crazy so I guess that doesn’t really matter. It happened about five years ago, when I was going through a tough time in my life, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. It’s a memory that’s implanted in my brain. I will never forget it.
At the time, me and my wife were in the process of getting a divorce. She was moving out, on to bigger and better things I guess, and I was left home to figure things out. Everything was going to change. Everything familiar was going to be new. I was afraid. I was venturing into uncharted territory, I was heading into the unknown, and that scared me to death. I understand that the only thing constant in life is change, but that doesn’t make things any easier. Looking back on it now, I realize it was for the best, but that’s for another topic.
I need to get what happened to me off my chest, or I will truly go insane. It happened on one hot summer evening. It was in between that zone of light and dark. Dusk. That shadowy area where illusion meets reality. I had to go to the store, but I decided to get gas first. After that trip, my life would never be the same…..
I came home through the front door. I felt like a zombie. I was numb. I was still stunned as to what happened and not sure where I was. I must have looked pale and white cause my soon to be ex asked
“Where’d you go? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.?”
I stood motionless.
“You’ve been gone a while. I thought you were just going to the store.”
“I was, but I had to stop and get gas.”
She was fidgeting around, packing up her books and magazines, glancing at her watch. She wanted to be somewhere else.
“It took you that long?”
“We need to talk.” I said as calmly as I could.
A magazine she was holding dropped on the ground with a loud thud. She looked at my quizzically. She probably was thinking, were getting a divorce, what could possibly be more serious than that?
I walked over to her, took her hand and we sat down together.
“I’ll explain as best as I can. I still don’t believe it myself.”
I took a deep breath and exhaled.
“I was on my way to the store, but saw that I needed gas so I stopped by that new gas station that was built a few months ago. I felt like I was being pulled towards that one for some reason, but I didn’t think anything of it, until after.”
“Being pulled? What do you mean?”
“I’m not sure, like someone or something wanted me to go there.”
She leaned back, rested her chin her hand, and her eyebrows rose up.
“My gait was slow as I headed toward the building. The automatic doors opened. As soon as I crossed the threshold I knew I was in another time and another place. In another dimension, altogether. I shivered. The room was empty and black. I stumbled as I tried to move forward, my head spinning a thousand miles an hour like a top, and felt as if I was going to pass out. My mind was in a haze. Then it got brighter. My head stopped spinning, my mind was clearer, like sunrise at dawn. I started to see figures that looked like people. They weren’t in focus at first. But then I could see. I saw one man whose back was to me by the stack of water bottles. I went to him instantly. I sort of felt that I was being pushed toward him. He turned around and my jaw dropped to the floor. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Could this really be happening? I thought to myself.
My wife stared wide eyed and mesmerized. I took a deep breath and continued.
I knew that face instantly. Tears rolled down my cheeks. He was beaming with joy.
“Well, you gonna stand there or give your old man a hug?”
We hugged for what seemed like forever, and cried tears of joy and sadness.
“I know I wasn’t around much in your life, and for that I’m truly sorry. I need to let you know that I love you and am so proud of the man you became to be. I’m honored that you were my son. You will always be my son.”
I was speechless. I finally uttered.
“Where am I?”
He stared at me with his big grin.
“Heaven’s gas station.”
His smile was slowly disappearing.
“I have to go. I can’t stay. I need to go back.”
“I have so many questions.”
He spoke without moving his lips.
“You will get through this period in your life. You’ll move forward, and you might not see it now, but you will find love again. Have faith, and know I love you.”
He stood there slowly disappearing.
My heart sank.
“Don’t go”! I sobbed. Don’t go! I love you too.”
My father faded into thin air as quickly as he came. My head was spinning, my mind foggy again, everything faded into black. I stumbled toward the door and knocked over a stack of water bottles, they hit the ground and busted open. Water sprayed everywhere.
“Next thing I knew I was back in the car.”
My wife stared in disbelief.
“That’s unbelievable.”
She thought for a moment in silence.
“Remember, we were just talking about him a few days ago about how you wish you had closure?”
I got up and headed to the fridge.
“What do you think happened?”
I got myself a beer, took a long swig and went back to the couch.
“I don’t know. A portal to another dimension perhaps. Whatever it was, it was real.”
We just stared at each other not knowing what to say.
“Well at least you know he’s okay, and he seems at peace, and that there really is a heaven.”
I sat back in the couch and took another swig of beer.
My father was right. As difficult as it was, I moved on from the divorce, and I have found love again. This is the happiest I’ve been in years. You may be in a situation now where things seem hopeless but know that whatever situation you find yourself in, this too shall pass.
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