~*~ ~*~ THE SON’S TALE He stretched languidly then slid strong slender fingers through his hair, as his eyes opened he found he was face to face with a large furry white face - one so white it seemed silver. Wow, he thought - my eyes seem better today, and he turned sleepy eyes back to the furry face. “Well Powder, what are you doing in here? Bet Dad doesn’t know.” The throaty chuckle that answered him shook him fully awake. He looked at the Silvery creature before him and realized there were two here - a large silvery white wolf and a blue eyed Siberian. “Pooky? ShiShi? How?” A million questions tumbled through his mind. “Dad!!” Now the large Silver One looked softly at the young man, “He is not here, not yet.” The Silver One looked at his blue eyed sister, “we need to show our brother around, and call to our other brother’s and sisters to come greet him.” The young man looked at the two before him. Where was Dad? How was he talking with pups, and pups that were gone at that? And where was Dad? He had been right by his bed when he had dozed off. Then he realized - sheeze, his dad was gonna be so worried. Had he wandered off in his sleep when Dad went out for a smoke? Then he realized he had not yet even thought of having a smoke much less craved one. Slowly he began to look at what did not seem to fit. Where were his glasses and why did he not need them? When had his hair grown back? Where were his dad and wife? Where was he, nothing was familiar? The Silver One looked at gentle ShiShi, “Sister mine - this is going to take some work to help him understand.” ShiShi got up and gently led the young man to a small pond near them. The pond was beautiful, clear and bright. When he drew closer he was surprised to see the reflection in her waters was not of here but of another place, and in that place two were crying, holding to each other. Two he held most dear, his dad and his wife. And like small framed portraits he saw so many others he loved who loved him all crying. He looked at ShiShi puzzled. “Why are they disturbed by my dream?” he asked. “Do you remember where you were and why?” she asked gently. He thought a moment; he was in a hospital, sick, in fact all his hair had fallen out from chemotherapy. But he had a full head of hair now, and he felt great. Slowly an idea formed, was he, could it be, was this real and not just a dream? He turned and looked at the Silver One. “Am I?” he asked. The Silver One looked at him, “We have kept guard over you a long time now. And, yes, you are here.” A small furry seemingly darted out of nowhere, ending up firmly in his arms - all purrs and sandpaper kisses. “They said you were here! Oh daddy, I have missed you so! Wow - you got tall! I knew you were taller - I watched you grow, but wow, you are really tall!” He smiled and petted the familiar little head. He held the small purry one as the Silver One showed him around, but his heart kept returning to the reflecting pond, to Dad and his wife, to all those in the many framed scenes. The Silver One and ShiShi looked at one another, “we can show you how to visit if you wish”, the Silver One said softly. “Please,” he replied, “can I visit all? If only just once?” “Just think where you wish to be first,” said the Silver One, we will stay at your side.” In an instant he was back in the hospital room, no one acknowledged his presence and he looked to the Silver One. “They cannot see you - but their hearts will hear you - feel you.” So he went to them and put his arms around them, “I love you both. Please be there for each other.” His dad and wife looked up at each other, surprised, and felt a warmth and peace envelope them. “Dad, he is here,” she said quietly. Next, he went home, yes she was where he thought, trying to keep busy so she would not have to think of it. A tear slid down her cheek betraying her heart. “Another name that will be too hard to speak,” she thought sadly. She felt a finger gently brush the tear away, and through the window saw a rainbow and felt a wave of peace flow over her. To yet another home where a half grown child - no longer a boy but not yet a man - sat in disbelief. He sat quietly by his son and put an arm across his trembling shoulders. “When ever you need me I am only a thought away. If you need strength call on me.” The young man sat up taller, “Dad, I will make you proud of me.” As he watched his son he said, “I already am.” The day passed on, so many visits, so many more he wished to acknowledge, to thank, to let know how he felt. At length the Silver One looked at him, “Is this all?” He grinned, “No, I have one more.” His little sister who he usually called Bratt was where he thought she would be, staring through tears at her computer screen blankly, not wanting to believe the words there. He looked at the Silver One. “Can I have some fun?” The Silver One gave him a warning look, and ShiShi spoke up in alarm, “Do you not see her tears?” “I promise I won’t be mean,” he said. He reached around her and as she watched her computer switched to a page of hope she had done. “No, there is no hope,” she said as she changed the page. Again he changed the screen - to an old conversation they had shared - oh how he had tried that night to turn her face red. “It is over, I have no faith left,” she cried changing the screen yet again. Several more changes, several more switches back until at last she let it stay. Then he put his arm gently around her and she felt warmth like someone had wrapped a soft blanket around her, “While you are still alive there is always hope Little Sister and you must keep faith.” (c) Candace