#3 In The Fables Of Angel Haven Series
THE JEWEL ANGEL
In memory of Julia Johanna (also known as Jewels) who departed from us on May 2, 1999, just eight days short of her fifteenth birthday
Once upon a time, a young Angel came upon the faraway land of Angel Haven. This young Angel appeared to be rather fragile, and life was not always easy for her, yet she did her best. And soon she made friends with many other Angels of all sorts, and she was welcomed throughout the land.
The young Angel watched as the rest of the Angels tirelessly continued their efforts in support of the handsome Sir Michael, and the love of his life, Lady Caroline. As the self-appointed Guardian Angels for Michael and Caroline, they dedicated themselves to bringing their couple together forever, as they knew was meant to be. And the young Angel soon joined in the crusade, calling herself the Angel of Silence, because she believed Michael and Caroline could read each other’s feelings without needing to ask, that they were able to just sit together without needing to speak, and that they could show love for each other without the need for words.
In her support of Michael and Caroline, the young Angel was sometimes happy, sometimes sad, and sometimes frustrated or angry. But she always spoke from her heart, and the other Angels learned that this Angel was indeed not fragile after all, but instead exceedingly strong inside - full of fight and determination. She also loved to tell stories, and she would talk of Michael and Caroline and how they would be together someday. And the other Angels listened with joy as she shared her tales with them.
The Angels came to realize the young Angel was a creative and lively spirit - a dreamer of wonderful things to come. And yet, they marveled at how she found joy in the simple things in life - the outdoors, books, rain… She was thoughtful and compassionate toward the others, and had a loving and caring nature, and her true friends never left her heart.
The time came when the magic that was Michael and Caroline so filled their hearts with love and desire, that they gave themselves to each other in a joining of heart, body and soul. And the Angels were filled with joy. But it was a joy made bittersweet in that Caroline was still not free from the ties of her husband, Lord Austin. Their love created much controversy throughout Angel Haven, and many soothsayers foretold of much sorrow and pain yet to be suffered by their beloved couple.
The young Angel was deeply saddened by all this. She still believed in her heart that Michael and Caroline would be together one day, and their life would be filled with love and joy forever after. But she did not know if she could bear so much more sorrow for them along the way. As she sat thinking about all this, looking up at the stars, a tear slowly found it’s way down her cheek. And God looked down and saw the young Angel, and His heart was stirred.
Later that night as she slept, the young Angel was visited by another very special Angel. The Special Angel called out to her, and she awoke and sat up and rubbed her eyes as she saw the beautiful vision in front of her. She stared in wide-eyed wonder as she asked who the Angel was. And the Special Angel spoke to her…
"I have come to take you with me. You have been chosen to become a real Angel."
"A REAL Angel? Me?"
"Yes, I am here to take you to a better place. A place where pain and sadness no longer exist. A place where you will find only joy and happiness. A place where you can dance, and fly and sing without the weight of the world on your shoulders. A place where no one can hurt you."
"I have been chosen? Why me?"
"Because you are a very special young Angel, and God wants you to find peace for your restless soul. It is your time."
With that, the Special Angel held out her hand. As the young Angel reached up and took hold of her hand, she turned and waved goodbye to her friends in Angel Haven. But when she saw their sad faces, she stopped and smiled.
"Don't be sad, Angels. You will still see me. I will be in the clouds, and in the stars and the moon, and in the deep blue sky. Please don’t forget me, Angels. And always remember, the essential things in life are your friends, and your heart. And I will always be in your hearts, as you, my dear friends, will always be in mine."
The young Angel turned and followed the Special Angel, and they disappeared into the night. And all of Angel Haven became silent. But as the young Angel entered into the heavens, a new bright light was placed in the night sky. For when Angels leave the Haven to become real angels, their souls enter into heaven, and their physical presence becomes a new heavenly star. All the Angels gathered in the middle of Angel Haven and marveled at the star shining brightly above them. They knew that although they would miss her terribly, the young Angel would always be there. And so they hugged and comforted one another, and wept tears of sadness and joy as they thought of their young friend.
Sir Michael took notice of the new bright star, and asked the Angels what it meant. As he heard the story of the young Angel, he was very moved, and knew that he would also miss her. He watched the star night after night, captured by it’s beauty. One night he decided he would like to share the beauty of this star with his Lady Caroline. So he climbed to the top of Angel Mountain, and he reached up and pulled the star from the sky. And as he did, a miracle happened.
Sir Michael looked at the star in his hand, and suddenly, right before his very eyes, it magically became a beautiful jewel - a jewel that sparkled and glowed with all the brilliant colors of the universe. It was the most magnificent jewel Sir Michael had ever seen. He took this jewel and had it fashioned into a broach, surrounding it with the finest silver and gold. He then carefully wrapped it in a soft cloth, and presented it to his love, Lady Caroline.
Lady Caroline unwrapped the cloth and as she saw the brilliant colors of the broach, she was overcome by its beauty. She looked at Sir Michael, wondering where it had come from. As he told her the story of the young Angel and the star, his words deeply touched her heart.
"Michael, this is a most precious jewel."
"That is exactly why I wanted to give it to you… because you are my most precious jewel, Caroline. And there’s nothing can compare in all the world. I want you to keep it always, as a symbol of our love for each other. For I know that some day, we will truly be together. I know not whether that day is near or far, but I know we WILL be together at the end of the days of our lives."
Lady Caroline clutched the beautiful broach to her heart, and her eyes filled with tears as she spoke. "I will cherish this special gift for the rest of my life, and I will keep it close to my heart always, and will never part from it. And it’s meaning will be that of our hope and faith in everlasting love."
Sir Michael gently kissed her, and they held each other tightly as they looked up into the sky where the young Angel’s spirit had shown so brightly. And they knew her spirit would always help them find their way back to each other.
So began the legend of the Jewel Angel. And forever after, every time it rained, the young Angel could be seen dancing through the little droplets of water as they slowly fell from the skies above to the grass below. As the drops sparkled as beautiful jewels across the land, the Angels were reminded of the young Angel, and her memory lived on forever in their hearts…
(Sorry, I just couldn't resist putting the "days of our lives" in there. Hopefully Jewels is smiling at that one...)
May 10, 1999