Sister Burney did not know that she had fallen asleep until she woke up to a tapping on her window.  She saw a bird holding a white rose in its mouth.  She goes to get it but there is a sharp pain in her chest.  Instantly remembering all that happened last night, she looks around for a sign that everything that happened is true and not just a dream.  She picks up the flower that the bird left and kisses it, knowing that her husband has left it for her.  Knowing that this personal sign of love and affection is just for her, and that her husband is again gone sadly she hugs the flower tightly being careful of the thorns.  Sadden by how she will have to try to convince people, especially her daughter, about what has happened Sister Burney goes to the bathroom and after taking care of her basic needs, steps into the shower. 

Everything her husband spoke about vaguely begins to come back to her.  While she is washing she feels the scars on her chest.  Turning off the water she steps back out of the shower and examines the various scars on her ribcage made by her nails.  Wiping the foggy mirror with a damp hand towel, she studies all the scars in the mirror.  Then she sits on the edge of the bath, thinking through the whole experience.  She could have died last night.  And instead of death consuming her, she was able to raise her husband from the dead, she was even able to sleep in his arms one last time.  Last night is such a revelation.  A renewed excitement stirs up in her as she quickly prepares for the day.  It will be a full day of healing preparation!

As soon as Sister Burney’s daughter comes, she immediately tells her daughter about that night occurrences.  Her daughter mentally scoffs at her, while she silently drives her mother back to the church.  Normally she is always very respectful to her mother, but this display is obviously the influence of that church; making her mother lose her mind.  ‘Why did they have to come—especially this boring state?’ She thought to herself, almost out loud.

Her mother has always been a very realistic, logical, scientific person but it seems like in her old age she is drifting into becoming mentally unfit.  She missed her father too, that is why she named her only son after her father; but trying to drag his corpse out of the grave will not do anybody any good, and could send her mother to an institution.  Her brother told her about how their mother tried to dig her father up and when she couldn’t she came back to the car smiling and looking crazy.  Her mother then went into a really deep depression staying in the house to be close to her father, reading diverse biblical translations and keeping a journal.  Once she snuck a peek in the journal and it was all about death, and healing, which would be good, but  the focus was on what she perceived the healing of the dead.

Although she does not say anything mean to her mother, Sister Burney can feel her daughter’s judgments.  Saddened and hurt, she gets out of the car and goes into the church.  Her daughter has been there only 7 days and everyday she quickly drops her mother off with out even cutting off the car.  Then she comes back when she is called and then drops her mother off at the hotel.  She has never set foot in the church or met anyone.  Because of her dislike for churches and temples Sister Burney’s daughter is not interpreting anything since that would mean she would have to go inside of the church.  They also do not talk outside of normal cordial greetings, when Sister Burney first gets in or out of the car.

Although most people who are coming are finally here and Sister Kelly is introducing them all to her group, Sister Kelly can tell there is something wrong with Sister Burney.  It isn’t until the end of the night that they are able to be alone and talk.  When Sister Kelly understands that her daughter is not being helpful or happy about her mothers encounter with her husband, Sister Kelly grieves for her friend.  The following day Sister Kelly makes it a point to meet them out in the parking lot.  She personally invites Sister Burney’s daughter in and when several enthusiastic others gather around the car trying to coax her in, she finally agrees. 

Sister Kelly does not have to do anything else, but watch as the group happily surrounds Sister Burney’s daughter.  By the end of the night, she has several invitations to go out with several of the women.  That night when she drops off her mother they stay in the car longer and chat.  When she leaves the hotel she goes out with several of the ladies from the group to eat at one of their favorite restaurants.  She is starting to feel more at home with everyone her mother has been associating with.  LaQueia is one of the ladies that invited her out.  Being pregnant LaQueia can not wait for the food.  She happily devoures her appetizer and samples some of everyone else’s. 

Teri goes out with them as well, but she only stays for half an hour.  “Tomorrow the place where I work is suppose to do layoffs,”  Teri states as she starts to gather her things.  “I am so nervous.  I do not know what I’m going to do.”  Sister Burney’s daughter asks Teri how the company will decide things. “Well, they weren’t even going to tell us about the layoffs happening tomorrow.  When the various directors told their managerial staff what was going on, one of the managers told their staff.  He did not know he was not suppose to tell.  Since he did this, the company decided to let all of the managers tell their staff members.  So I really do not know what will happen tomorrow.  But it’s been really strange at work.  No one is really working anymore, everyone is packing up stuff, and doing the bare minimum.  Hanging out in each others desks and discussing what they will do if they get laid off.  I have gotten to know so many people.  It’s just amazing that I’ve worked with some of these people for years and I knew nothing about their personal lives.”

Sister Burney’s daughter shivers at the thought.  “Layoffs can be so nerve wrecking and brutal.  That’s why I’m glad I’m a doctor!  I am always needed and I don’t have to ever worry about becoming obsolete.  And now that I’m studying to be a brain surgeon I’ll be needed even more.  As a doctor I basically work everyday, but taking my studies further is going to be so tedious.  That’s why when my mother and I leave, I won’t have any time.  I am already always on call or working.  So I am trying to have as much personal free time as possible.  This sabbatical feels so good!  I just wish my husband and son were here now.  They are coming in a few days.  I am so excited.  I’ve been going to different places seeing where we can go when they finally get here.”  Everyone can see the excitement on her face.

Teri pulls out some money to cover her tab with a tip and a portion of Sister Burney’s daughters tab.  Putting it on the table she tells everyone goodbye and leaves.  Her mind is heavy as she tries to keep her thoughts rooted in God.  One of the ladies in the group, who has a son similar in age, is baby sitting lil Christopher so that Teri can get prepared for tomorrow without having to worry about him.  Because everyone is slacking off, Teri is able to study her bible throughout the work day.  She is also able to tell others about what she is experiencing through the Holy Spirit’s guidance. 

Since she has received the gift of the Holy Spirit Teri feels uplifted and it shows especially at work.  Many people wondered how she can be so cheery in the midst of getting the news of layoffs.  Opening several doors for her to tell others about the group and how much it has helped.  A couple of people from work have even joined.  It isn’t until she is in the bed that Teri finally feels the burden of losing her job. Lying in the bed, Teri thinks about what she will do if she comes back home with no job.  Thinking about being the sole provider for her household suddenly seems overwhelming. 

Flustered Teri gets up and goes downstairs to get herself something cold to drink.  Her mouth seems so dry.  She takes the cup of lemonade back up the stairs with her.  When she finishes she feels cooler.  Her fear of the unknown was making her break into a sweat but the cold strawberry lemonade is soothing, cooling her off. 

Teri lays back down again, but thoughts of paying her mortgage, other bills and taking care of her family, automatically makes her feel hot again.  She turns on a fan and openes the window.  It is such a peaceful night, with a cool gentle breeze.  Looking out the window at all of the cookie cutter houses, Teri is able to see the similarities on each house.  The paint color is the most distinctive characteristic.  Each is housing a family that is trying to survive as the parents raise their children.  Teri wonders how many people are living pay check to pay check and can lose their houses just like her; not have enough in savings to suffer the blow from losing a job.  With Jason gone, she has been tapping into her savings monthly just to survive.  If she loses her job it will only be a matter of two to three months tops, before she will be deep in debt and can lose everything. 

Teri looks up in the sky, which is housing a full moon.  She can not remember the last time she has seen a full moon.  It seems so big and close; it makes her feels that she can walk to it and touch it.  The twinkle of the stars sooth her anxieties as she thinks on the bigger picture.  Suddenly Teri thinks about God and his perspective.  Since he is able to make the universe and this lovely moon, he surely will take care of her.  She is a spec in the scheme of things, so even though her problems seem monumental to her, from God’s point of view her problems are a tiny spec that God can remedy before a blink of an eye.