Gò0dNews for Everyone
The Mirror
J
by Deck Cheatham
ack dies. He finds himself walking down a dirt lane. In the distance, he sees a gate. As he nears, he sees a man
tending a garden. He’s not sure what has happened. He remembers grasping for breath and clutching his chest. And now, he is walking down this quiet country lane. Curious, he walks toward the gate.
You loved Daniel and he loved you, but as you grew, you forgot him.” Yes, I did. Again, the image changes. I remember him. He’s the Priest in Rome. He toured us around the duomo and prayed for us. “Yes, he did. And you thought he was a bit strange. You were also impatient.” Well, I had places to go. Who is he, anyway? “He is the stranger who took you in,
Jack greets the gardener. Hello, sir.
who tried to show you how to live in
“Hello, Jack.” How do you know my name?
the present.
“I know everyone who comes to my
Now, Jack sees two doors.
gate.” What is your name? “Peter.” Is this
I remember those. They’re replicas
the road to Heaven? “Some say so. Some
of doors in Italy. “Would you like to
call it the road of good intention.”
enter?” No. That man might be inside.
Am I in Heaven? “Not yet.” Where
We made a mistake when he asked if we
am I? Is that the Pearly Gate? “Could be.”
would like to see the church and we said
That old rickety thing! “What did you
yes. I thought we would never shake him.
expect?” Well, I thought maybe some gold.
And who is he? “He’s every lonely
“Heaven isn’t what you think.”
person wishing for a kind word and
I’m confused. “Most are.” What’s
someone to value him for who he is.”
next? Do I have to answer some questions
I don’t understand. “The answer
or something? You know, I’m not perfect,
is simple. Your time with Daniel was
but I did give money to the homeless and
when you were closest to God. But
went to church most Sundays. “Not quite.
as time passed, you traveled farther
And I don’t need a resume’. Before
away. The Priest and the docent were
anyone enters Heaven, each must look
angels who crossed your path to
in this mirror.”
show you the way—God speaking to
Jack hadn’t noticed the mirror.
your soul. Peter, I’m not worthy to enter.
Surprised, he felt jitters.
Please forgive me.
“All you must do is look into the mirror. But beware, you will see yourself
At that, the locks fall from the
as you are, not as you think you are.”
gate and Jack is welcomed.
Uneasy, Jack looks into the mirror.
Peter turned to look down the
At first, he sees himself. Slowly, the
road. A man is approaching. Hello, Sir. “Hello, Sam.” How do
image changes and he sees Daniel, the
you know my name?
black field hand from his Dad’s farm. child, Daniel looked after you. He was your guardian angel.
38 // December 2020
About The Author
Why do I see Daniel? “Because as a Deck Cheatham has been a golf professional for some 40 years. He lives with his family in Dalton. He is a guest columnist for the Rome News Tribune, The Daily Citizen, and the Calhoun Times. Email him at pgadeacon@gmail.com.
