Let the Feast Begin

The whole kingdom was bustling with excitement. There had been weeks of planning and preparation leading up to this coming night's event. A formal banquet, if you will, to welcome her, their newest member of the kingdom. There would be no stone left unturned. Everything she had imagined in her heart of hearts would come to fruition when the trumpets bellowed at the first guest's arrival. Even the scents of lavender and peaches were being breathed in all around her tonight. And she had butterflies around her, too...kissing her shoulders. The whole night was lit up with fireflies and a full moon. And even they were joyful. It was a Southern girl's dream.

From the balcony of the castle they had placed her in to call her home, she could see the cobblestone road as it wound up to her gates. And the night's sky full of ethereal stars lit them up in silver, bouncing and twinkling around. This was magic, she thought, as she twirled around in her white chiffon formal nightgown. She had instantly been transformed into a youthful young woman again when she had slipped it on. She found her skin no longer had no flaws or wrinkling of age. Was she dreaming? She wondered?

Her thoughts were interrupted by her escort, a very handsome and muscular man dressed in a white tuxedo. It was time to go downstairs to meet the guests in the large marbled foyer as they each arrived. Their names would be announced as they entered. She had been told that her night would be full of surprises, but assured her that all the surprises would be welcome.

Her instructions, handed to her in a gold-embossed card were as follows: "You will be the guest of honor, but your guests will not be able to see you or hear you. You will be able to hear their conversations and watch them mingle. They know of your existence and arrival, but it will take time for their vision to adjust to you. "Strange," she thought. But most interesting. They will be referring to you as "Nova" until your new name is given to you at a later time. You will be able to walk amongst them, enjoy your meal and be inspired by the music. As you listen, you will learn."

As she made her way down and her foot stepped off the last step, the room with its high and ornate ceilings and walls, became transformed into a surreal small universe with heavenly, strange, and the most-appealing colors that were so very brilliant that it took Nova's breath and she stumbled slightly. Her strong escort steadied her, as all the walls vanished and the floors became glass. She was literally floating.

As her eyes purveyed the cozy, large room adjacent to the foyer, she could see a man in an elegant tuxedo at the piano. He looked comfortably familiar to her, but Nova couldn't place him and she didn't want to stare. There was a couple, dressed formally as well, facing him, but their backs were turned to Nova. "Guests?" she asked her escort. "No," he answered with a smile, "singers."

Nova saw other busied white tuxedos going about with trays full of food being placed in various areas. And chairs, so many big, comfy chairs all in velvet red or purple or gold for her guests to be seated in. The guests would be escorted into the room for music and appetizers. There were bottles of all types of wine, cheeses of all kinds, and delicious fruit...strawberries, grapes, and melons. There were crab cakes prepared, Italian Bruschetta, and tiny cucumber sandwiches. But it was the Mini Lobster Pies (7 fishes recipe) that caught her eye.

Her escort pulled another card from his coat pocket with the other four course options that the guests had chosen and he nodded towards the dining area, where Nova caught glimpse of a huge table with seats for sixteen with white linens, gold silverware, and beautiful golden mugs as the setting. It was stunningly beautiful and just perfect! And on the table, there were centerpieces of ice sculptures... praying angels each facing different directions. Around their adorned feet were purple, red, and green grape clusters.

The Soups: Tomato Bisque or French Onion. That would be served first.

And then the Salads: Ambrosia or Waldorf

For the Entrée: Filet Mignon or Cornish Hen with Apricot Glaze

And for Dessert: Pound Cake with Peaches & Cream or Mint Chocolate Cake

At this moment, as the trumpet call sounded as had been promised, and the wide double doors opened for her guests. As they entered, the Piano Man began playing and Nova could hardly believe her eyes as the singers turned around to smile at their audience: Louis Armstrong & Judy Garland! Classics. "Oh, how wonderful is this!," smiled Nova.

The first guest to arrive was Albert Einstein. Nova's escort whispered in her ear he had been invited, as were all the other guests, because in her heart, there had been questions she wanted answers to. Albert's question (Did you ever want to give up on the world because it couldn't grasp the impossible?)

Then, of all people, it was Methuselah! The world's oldest man...lived to be 969 years old, as recorded in the Bible. His question (How did you cope with losing so many younger family members who died way earlier than you?)

Next would be two very beautiful women, who walked in together. Princess Diana & Marilyn Monroe.

To Di: (Were you fully aware of the tremendous love and outpouring that your life impacted?)

And to Marylin: (When you got to Heaven and held your baby, the one lost on earth, finally feeling what it is to be a mother...did you find peace?)

In stately array, King Solomon appeared next. (Being the wisest of all, what trait of God do you love the most?)

And to the Bible character that had always perplexed Nova, who seemed to leave his chapter unanswered, Jonah while in Nineveh: (What happened at the end and why was it left out?)

And the last four guests were more recognizable in familiarity to Nova. They had been family members, but only one of them had she actually touched while on earth. And she came in last.

First, in order of departure from earth, was Bryce, Nova's maternal great uncle, born Feb. 20, 1890 and died March 6, 1910 from alcohol poisoning. (It must have been so frightening to be away from home and die so young, without loved ones; what helped your fear?)

Then Sam, Nova's paternal great uncle, born Feb. 18, 1895 and died March 26, 1941 from a said, suicidal drowning and was found on the river bank. (Was it really suicide? Do you know your purpose and do you feel loved now?)

Next, was Shirley, Nova's father's only sister. Born Nov. 10, 1928 and died Jan. 20, 1945 from Kidney Disease. (What did you love the most about Nova's father?)

And, lastly, there was Jade. She was Nova's granddaughter...so beautiful. Born Aug. 7, 1995 and died February 28, 2018 from an old enemy, a drug overdose. (Are you now truly free and happy?)

The musical trio performed the following perfect melodies:

Elton John's Candle in the Wind and the English Rose Candle in the Wind.

Let it Be by the Beatles, and also their In my Life

And of course, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, a classic Judy Garland

Followed by, What a Wonderful Life by Louis Armstrong.

But, lastly, and certainly never least, I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me

The perfect ambience for the night...and on the heels of the last song, and after she and the the guests had feasted, their palates and bellies fully satisfied, and when Nova's answers had all been acquired, one final toast was delivered from the Piano Man, " Welcome to the Kingdom, my child." Oh! my God...literally...how had she not recognized her best friend, JC, up until now! And suddenly, all her guests "saw" her and rushed to welcome her to this forever magical land of theirs.