Whispers down the wind

WHISPERS DOWN THE WIND

COME AWAY WITH ME
CAST OFF PAIN AND CARE
LOVE PASSES YET LIVES

'It is time to come,' Jane heard somebody whisper. Looking at her
husband, he was by her bedside but hadn't spoken.

Having that stroke nearly cost her the life she dearly loved twelve
months ago, but when cancer had set in, she knew it was only a matter
of time, and became bedridden. Her husband helped as much as possible,
but he could only do so much.

'You must come,' she heard the voice whisper once more. Deep down, she
knew who it was and had to ask for her husband's help to face the
voice.

'Will you take me out?' she asked weakly.

Brian - her husband - knew it was only a matter of how many days and
had to treat each wish as her last.

Rising from her bedside, he went to get her wheelchair from the
hallway, taking it into the room

Pushing it to the side of the bed, he placed one arm under her knees
and the other around her back to lift her onto the chair.

With Jane safely in, she raised her right arm slowly to hold his hand
and gently rubbed it against her face like an excited cat.

'I have to go,' Jane spoke softly.

Not questioning her as to why, he obeyed, pushing her outside.

'It is time to come,' the voice grew in strength and the air turned
colder.

Brian pushed her down the pathway and listened to the directions she
gave.

Jane looked at each minute detail with fascination, taking it all in
and knew she had to remember every last detail. She would want to
remember this place forever, it was where she had spent most of her
life.

Brian noticed what his wife was doing, saying nothing, knowing what she
wanted.

Deep down, Jane had thought about nothing else than death for the past
twelve months and it had come as a sudden shock to hear that voice.
'You will have to go when your name is called,' she had often been told
by her mother. Now her name was the one being called, she didn't want
to leave, but had to, it may not be so peaceful second time around.
Brian would miss her, but he wouldn't want her to spend an extra few
months by his side if she wasn't going to die peaceful.

Turning her attention from the scenery to Brian, she said, 'You
understand, don't you?'

Leaving it unanswered, they were soon outside the cemetery gates.

A man stood by the church door as Jane whispered, 'I have come.'

Brian looked in the direction she was speaking, seeing no-one.

The man neared the gates, and when he came near the chair, he reached
out his hand, 'I am glad,' he smiled.

Jane reached out her hand to hold the man as he helped the spirit from
her body.

She fell limp in the chair and Brian shouted, 'Come back,' his voice
thundered.

Jane looked at the man, the church, then her husband. She did not know
what to do, only stood undecided.