‘The stone has been rolled away and Preacher is gone,’ Jane said. ‘We heard he had died and was entombed by our politicians who were giddy with their triumph over his truth with their lies,’ Jane continued. ‘They accuse him of all manner of evil lies, validating their killing of him,’ Jane noted. ‘Preacher turned the other cheek and let them beat him, crown him with thorns and crucify him, asking God to forgive them because they did not know what they were doing,’ Jane cried. ‘Now he is not where they expect him and they are at odds to explain what happened,’ Jane exulted.

‘Preacher has been seen and heard in the woods,’ Chet said with a wide smile. ‘He met with many of our diverse group while the power players of our government were toasting their victory and planning their next evil endeavor,’ Chet said. ‘They say there is no telling where he will turn up but suddenly appears among believers without warning,’ Chet laughed. ‘Preacher was seen in the halls of Congress talking with Senators, Congressmen, and Congresswomen,’ Chet winked. ‘Many politicans are influenced by Preacher’s Story and his triumph over the Leader and over death,’ Chet noted.

‘Your young men shall dream and your old men shall see visions,’ the Preacher said. ‘Place your hand in my riven side and your fingers in the holes in my hands and see that I am the Preacher hidden from the powerful and religious and revealed unto babes,’ the Preacher said. ‘I can not be driven out by hatred…hatred is afraid of love,’ the Preacher promised. ‘Welcome the stranger and she who has no home into your land, remember that all of us were strangers once,’ the Preacher said. ‘Beware wolves in sheep’s clothing who appear to love you and then turn and rend you limb from limb,’ the Preacher said. Fear those who say that they are me, their motives are not pure,’ the Preacher admonished. ‘Look for me in the woods and the quiet places, not the spotlights and tinsel and sound of brass and tinkling cymbal,’ the Preacher asked.

‘Preacher met with some of us in the woods and told us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and to give a drink of water in his name,’ Billy B said. ‘Preacher said for us to speak for those who have no voice and to lift up the sorrowful and oppressed,’ Billy B said. ‘Preacher told us to beware of false prophets to avoid the love for money, ‘Billy B said. ‘Preacher said that all humans are God’s children and that he loves all humanity,’ Billy B proclaimed. ‘Preacher said beware of those who say their message is his message when it is completely different than what he preached in the woods to us,’ Billy B whispered. ‘Preacher said that the servant shall lead us not the narcissist,’ Billy B smiled. ‘Preacher said that money is but a tool for this life and will not be remembered in the next world…in the next world kindness shall be the coin of the realm,’ Billy B exulted…

Morning is special. All things are new. The doubt of the night evaporates in the Sunshine of a new day. As I sat in the shelter of the woods, Jennifer and Lee James were like morning to me.

‘It is deathly quiet with no birds singing,’ Billy B said. ‘The air is still like a heavy garment,’ Billy B continued. ‘Hope has left our lungs, our hearts do not want to beat…our eyes are filled with tears,’ Billy B mused. ‘Preacher is gone,’ Billy B whispered.

‘Mary told me to not despair,’ Chet commented. ‘She is calm and at peace, going to the tomb early in the morning,’ Chet said. ‘Mary says Preacher will not break his promise to us,’ Chet mentioned. ‘Preacher knows what he is doing, and something great is about to happen,’ Chet smiled. ‘Be ready for a tremendous surprise,’ Chet proclaimed.

‘The guard stationed at the foot of the cross said that Preacher truly was the Son of God,’ Jane said through tears. ‘Politicans and religious leaders watched unflinchingly without emotion as he died,’ Jane said. ‘When the earthquake happened, they became frightened and fled,’ Jane commented.

‘It is a dark day,’ Chet said. ‘I just came from our gathering place in the woods, and Preacher has not returned,’ Chet said. ‘Several of our group have been rounded up by the government and sent to prison in El Salvador, being accused of being criminals and gang members,’ Chet recounted. ‘Preacher has been apprehended by the politicans, Senators, and House Members,’ Chet informed. ‘Fear dominates the Senate…fear of reprisal by the leader,’ Chet noted.

‘What fault do you find in this man?’ P asked the crowd. ‘He is but a Preacher with a small following and no threat to you,’ P continued. ‘Preacher preaches in the woods and what of it…many like the woods, including myself,’ P proclaimed with a smile. ‘Is not there a need for someone to be a voice outside the political/religious power to speak to the unseen and forgotten,’ P asked with interest.

‘Give us the criminal convicted of crime and nail this Preacher to the cross,’ Throng said. ‘His words about love and inclusion offend and embarrass us…he speaks not the approved words of the leader,’ Throng cried out. ‘His thoughts are not the leader’s thoughts and his ways are not the leader’s ways…his speech is unacceptable,’ Throng hollered.

‘Look, it is Preacher carrying a big wooden cross…he is bent over with the weight and is bleeding from his head into his eyes,’ Jane said. ‘He has been beaten and whipped, it is difficult to understand who he is,’ Jane cried.

‘Let me help you, Rabbi,’ the Ethiopian said. ‘Put your weight on me and we will walk together to the Hill,’ the Ethiopian promised. ‘You welcomed and accepted me when the powerful rejected me,’ the Ethiopian said…

Let’s see if we can find Preacher,’ Jane said. ‘Someone told me he had gone to the desert,’ Jane continued. ‘I am worried about his health and if those who wish him ill are seeking him for punishment,’ Jane expressed passionately. ‘He was with us in the woods and happy when suddenly he became quiet and withdrawn as if he had the world’s weight on his shoulders,’ Jane noted.

‘Life is good,’ the Leader said. ‘We have entered the Golden Age of Enlightenment,’ the Leader continued. ‘All will be transformed when our work is done, those who deserve our country’s blessing will receive them abundantly while those who are not of our tribe will be cast out,’ The Leader smiled and danced on one foot and swayed to the music. ‘We only want the true faith and not that of Preachers hidden in the woods,’ the Leader proclaimed.

‘Free thought and speech for the accepted, not for the voiceless and marginalized,’ Chet said. ‘The political/religious powerful will lock you up and throw away the key,’ Chet observed. ‘When words of acceptance and inclusion are heard, the thought police come quickly to smash the people guilty of thinking for themselves,’ Chet whispered. ‘The Truth Squad came to the Woods this morning and demanded to know if we knew where Preacher was,’ Chet said. ‘Diversity is damned and universities are persecuted for promoting it,’ Chet informed. ‘Up is down, and wrong is right while all must bring tribute to the Leader,’ Chet said with a tear.

‘I am so pleased to have supper with my friends this evening,’ the Preacher said. ‘These times are precious and we take them lightly,’ the Preacher continued. ‘Eat and drink because our faith will be tried in the furnace,’ the Preacher commented. ‘There is a deceiver in our midst and sitting with us at this table,’ the Preacher said as he looked each of the supper guests in their eyes. ‘Money and power are strong incentives for our bodies made of dirt and water,’ Preacher noted. ‘I will be going away for a while, but I will be back,’ Preacher promised…

‘I had a dream that I was in a beautiful garden,’ Chet said. ‘There was all manner of plants and flowers with a blue-green sky overhead,’ Chet continued. ‘A stranger accompanied me with a three-piece suit and wicked eyes,’ Chet explained. ‘He told me that I could have whatever I wanted if I would only do as he asked me,’ Chet explained. ‘The silver-tongued man spoke convincingly, and I considered his proposition,’ Chet said. ‘He reminded me that many of my friends were his colleagues and they had prospered under his mentorship,’ Chet sadly said.

‘I saw the mysterious man in the three-piece suit going into the garden with Preacher,’ Billy B said. ‘Preacher looks wan and sleep deprived,’ Billy B went on. ‘He told us that our faith would be tried and P told him that he would never deny him,’ Billy B said. ‘People like Preacher and our little group are hunted by the political/religious powerful, ‘ Billy B whispered. ‘Perhaps we have spoken out too quickly, what if Preacher leaves us…who will be our advocate?’ Billy B mused.

‘All these kingdoms are mine and will be yours if you will pledge allegiance to me,’ said S. ‘I am a good guy, a family man, and I have a large family and many mouths to feed,’ laughed S! ‘You will be King and I will be your consigliere,’ smiled S. ‘Those who disobey we will give a new home,’ S twinkled. ‘We are the in-crowd, the popular kids,’ said S.

‘The one I kiss on the cheek is who you are looking for,’ J said bitterly.

Many things are hidden, and we do not know how many because they are hidden. We know what we know, but we do not know what we do not know. Wolves wear sheep’s clothing. Gold appearance can be pot metal. Splendor may hide deceit.

‘Preacher says we are going to meet for supper,’ P said. ‘I am sure he will have good news of his ministry and wisdom,’ P continued. ‘Preacher is morose and troubled by coming events,’ P remarked. ‘I hope dinner will cheer him up,’ P smiled.

‘I am happy to have you all around me for our supper,’ Preacher said. ‘It has been a journey that I wanted to make, and yet it has many snares and pitfalls,’ Preacher remarked. ‘Politics has united with religion to form a two-headed monster that serves neither group well,’ said Preacher. ‘God’s message of love and acceptance is drowned out in many parts of society by men’s lust for power, control, and money,’ Preacher whispered. ‘True thoughts and deeds are scorned while avarice and theft are lauded…but then again I was told this would happen when I was sent here,’ Preacher assured.

‘May I have some of that dip you are enjoying?’ Judas asked.

The geese stand languidly by the pond. The cool spring breeze is inviting deep thoughts. Home grows richer as the years go by. The Story is progressing. We are inside the narrative. Other creations will read our Story and marvel.

What compels us? How do we dig into the depths of our souls for answers? What is love, and how is the flame ignited?

The rich and powerful enjoy seeing their name on buildings. They seek a way to be remembered after they are gone. People who have contributed much to an organization through their good works are replaced by names of those who have money. The Story continues.

‘I have been here by the Theatre for two weeks sleeping under the awning and begging for pennies to buy some bread,’ the Homeless Girl said. ‘Most folks pass me by and many do not see me,’ HG continued. ‘I found a blanket in the dumpster that I put over my head when it rains,’ HG smiled weakly. ‘I heard about a Preacher who cared for the homeless and sick, but I have not seen him on Broadway,’ HG commented.

‘Come with me, dear, and I will buy you a meal and take you to a home in the woods where the Preacher is gathering those who want to hear his message,’ Mary said. Preacher is currently away and warns of a big change coming,’ Mary said. ‘His followers are continuing his ministry in his absence,’ Mary said. ‘The poor and forgotten love him and his words of hope, but the rich and powerful fear his message of love,’ Mary explained.

‘Hope deferred maketh the heart sick but when the desire cometh it is a tree of life’…

‘There was a rich man who had more than he needed of everything and a poor man who had a single ewe lamb,’ Nathan said. ‘The rich man steals the ewe lamb from the poor man to feed his guest,’ Nathan continues. ‘The President is engaged and demands the rich man be punished,’ Nathan continues. ‘You are the rich man,’ Nathan tells the President…

‘It is dark in the east,’ Chet said. ‘A darkness that envelops all it encounters,’ he continued. ‘I touched the darkness and it had substance,’ Chet observed. ‘It is a foreboding day for a journey, yet we must go,’ Chet noted.

‘We felt the freedom of hope, the touch of grace that brings light to the dark heart,’ Jane whispered. ‘Standing together we knew the truth separated we doubt ourselves,’ Jane explained. ‘I feel queasy in the pit of my stomach and silent nameless fear that grips many hearts,’ Jane said with a shudder. ‘Is all going to be alright or is this the beginning of the end?’ Jane said.

‘Let us drink a glass of Merlot and rest a bit before departing for the parade,’ Neva J admonished. ‘There will be a great crowd and much celebration…the Preacher is coming to town,’ Neva J exulted. ‘Finally, he will be recognized for his wisdom,’ Neva J observed.

‘He is coming with many of the marginalized and forgotten in the crowd, interspersed with the religious and political leaders,’ He said. ‘His eyes are sad,’ He said.

‘Now we will be free…now our oppressor will lift his foot from our neck,’ a Church Member said. ‘Preacher will restore us to our rightful place and vanquish our enemies,’ the Church Member said. ‘No more hiding from the oppressive government…we will be the government,’ a Church Member promised.

Preacher rode through the adoring crowd in silence with sad eyes. Sounds of victory and hope abated the clouds of doubt. The worm had turned. Now Preacher will be the leader and Politician will be the servant, the throng cried!

‘Take this cup from me…not my will but thy will be done,’ the Preacher said.

Yesterday was fun for all. It was a beautiful day for a birthday. Beginning at the Pink Flamengo, we enjoyed Caribbean Cuisine. Have you ever experienced Jamaican Meatloaf? Jennifer invited me to try some of the flavorful bubbles from her drink. Now I understand Bubble Tea.

After lunch, we went to the coffee shop for a delicious cup of Hazelnut Latte. Jennifer’s treat for the old man. MJ treated us to unique, delicious gourmet candy bars. I still have some of mine. Of course, the finale was the Cigar Bar. This is not your usual Cigar Bar but an ornate relaxation point for a fine cigar and a good drink. The plush chairs and cigar ambiance lend themselves to deep thoughts by Jack Handy. Jennifer Jonathon and Aaron soon began their birthday shuffled board tournament. The competition was hot, and the moves were well thought out like chess. MJ and I sat on the sidelines and knew the world was good. Time passes magically in a Cigar Bar. The smoke swirls upward, and ideas travel through the establishment like gossamer wings.

As the cigars were enjoyed, the old man thought of world leaders past and present coming together in the Cigar Bar to learn about peace.

MJ and my youngest is 41 tomorrow. Where have the years gone? Yesterday, he climbed out of his crib, and I heard his feet hit the bedroom floor. Yesterday, many years ago. His laugh filled the house with mirth. If he had an ice cream cone, his admonishment was, ‘Save some for Aaron.’

Jonathon’s girlfriend Jennifer has added a lovely aspect to his life and ours. Each time I talk with her, I am uplifted by the experience. Jennifer embodies the manners of the old South with her easy smile and quiet wisdom.

Jonathon is a friend to the friendless. He knows and cares about all he meets. He is a silver lining finder…

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, the Bible tells us. Jonathon has a merry heart!

Tomorrow we will mark the special day in the usual way with good food, good drink, and good friends. Jamaican food and a Cigar Bar is the eclectic mix that Jonathon loves, and we are privileged to be along for the ride…

There is a special talent in showing the world a face of hope and joy on days when you don’t feel it. Jonathon is the friend who’s there when many do not answer the phone. With Jonathon, you can count on rising to the top of his list of important people when you need him…