Gas is four dollars a gallon. The price is rising daily. Affordability is an issue in our country. It is St. Patrick’s Day. Celebration ensues. Spring is at our door and turning the handle. My yard service will begin cutting grass next week. We are in the midst of challenges and blessings. It has always been so. The Old Man settled his heart to gain perspective. All is not lost. A sense of place is important.

‘We shall visit the cemetery early this year,’ Neva J said. ‘I read Lincoln In The Bardo, and I want to see if Grandma A. is waiting for us,’ Neva J continued. ‘I want to hear her words of wisdom,’ Neva J announced. ‘She told me that she would meet me on St. Patrick’s Day in 2026,’ Neva J said with a smile. ‘When she told me just before she died in 1968, I doubted that I would still be alive…but here I am and ready for the meeting,’ Neva J said. ‘Grandma A was the wisest person I have ever known…she will have insight as to what we should do in our world of today,’ Neva J said. ‘I hope she has not forgotten our meeting after all of these years,’ Neva J mused.

‘Hello, Little One,’ Grandma A said. ‘I have been waiting these 58 years to talk with you,’ Grandma A continued. ‘I have moved on from the cemetery but came back to speak with you and Billy B Chet and Jane,’ Grandma A continued. ‘It is much different over here than any human knows,’ Grandma A noted. ‘Many have regrets that they did not help others more during their life,’ Grandma A mused. ‘What I see of the world is increasingly concerning…We have left our manners behind and embraced barbarism,’ Grandma A continued. ‘Here there is mystery and magic…hope and regret…a better place and yet not the nirvana that many have hoped for…there is still work to do,’ Grandma A said quietly. ‘God’s plan is beyond our comprehension…we get there a little at a time…step by step,’ Grandma A whispered. ‘Would you like to peek behind the Great Veil?’ Grandma A asked. ‘It is really a trip, man…as the kids in the 60s said,’ Grandma A laughed.

‘How shall we prepare for what is beyond the Veil?’ Jane asked. ‘Shall we wear sunglasses or avert our eyes?’ Jane continued. ‘We are accustomed to brown Earth and blue sky…green grass and the physical parameters of our condition,’ Jane continued. ‘Will the glory of the hidden be too much for us?’ Jane exclaimed. ‘I see a beautiful horizon…brilliant colors…peace where there was war…full bellies where there was hunger… no pain or suffering and smiles on everyone’s faces,’ Jane observed.

‘We are beyond the Veil now,’ Grandma A said. ‘Here he struggles with humanity are gone, but the strife of the spirit remains,’ Grandma A continued. ‘Many are supportive of the present political distress…freedom of thought and will are inviolate in God’s creation,’ Grandma A noted. ‘Some are still warlike but have no weapons…others are still concerned about their own welfare more than their brother and sister,’ Grandma A said. ‘We are on the second rung of God’s ladder to Heaven…there are more to climb.

‘I hear the sound of singing,’ Chet said. ‘It sounds like rushing water and a flock of doves,’ Chet noted. ‘People are laying down their guns and sitting by the water…they are weeping and smiling…laughing altogether,’ Chet smiled. ‘They are waiting for a Speaker while the children play games and the old people speak together,’ Chet continued. ‘This appears to be a special day,’ Chet whispered.

‘Welcome all…this is the beginning of our work…our adventure…our joy,’ said the Preacher…