An Angel Is Born

It was bittersweet but I decided to visit with my girlfriend Khanh and her husband Randy who lives in Calgary after I spent the afternoon enjoying what I knew in my heart was the last time I would see my amazing Audrey.  Khanh and I have been friends as long as I can remember.  Although I haven't known Randy as long, we quickly became good friends and shared many conversations debating about all things that we don't understand.  They sensed my need for some space so they kindly left me their laptop and I sat quietly in their guest bedroom taking inventory of my life, appreciating my blessings and letting my mind wander.  I wrote: The Gift Of Mortality that evening and after I pulled the Archangel Michael card I spooked myself out and decided to call it a night.  I fell asleep absolutely exhausted.

That night, I had the most beautiful dream.  The room was stunning.  The building had soaring ceilings with cathedral domed glass panels that revealed the drama of the vast night skies.  I looked up and felt immensely small as the indigo sky danced with millions of brightly shining stars.  Twin staircases spiralled up in a helix formation and created a breath taking focal point to a veranda that overlooked the main floor.  In the middle of the grand room is a water fountain that shot majestically up and became the haunting backdrop to the live orchestra playing harmoniously for all the guests.  My fingers caressed the cool touch of the white marble used extensively throughout the floors, stairs, and columns of the ball room.  The energy of the building was intoxicating, like I have been enveloped in a bubble of immense love.

I felt like a princess.  In fact, all the women are dressed exactly the same.  Red crimson ball gowns with robust taffeta silk skirts full of tulle and laced corseted tops beautifully play out each woman's figure.  Our hairs are all perfectly curled and gathered to one side and our make-up is impeccably applied to bring out our best features.  The men are all wearing long tailed tuxedos and as with every woman, each looked extremely handsome and ever so dapper in their formal wear.  I recognized that all the guests are both mine and Audrey's friends and family members.  Everyone is having an amazing time. Some are dancing, some are engaged in deep conversations, some are drinking, some are nibbling on the passed appetizers and some are strolling amongst the rose gardens.  The air is infused with jasmine.

Audrey pokes me in the side.  "Hey, I need your help getting me changed."  Highly irked that I was requested to do something when all I wanted to do was enjoy the festivities (aka drink) I wrinkle my nose in disdain, "Awwww... pull up your big girl panties and do it yourself."  Audrey squints her eyes and intensely focuses her glare on me, "YOU have to help me!  I am too weak from all the radiation treatments."  I did a double take and gasped at the night and day difference in Audrey's appearance.  The Audrey I have known to love is looking half the weight she normally is and the battle of cancer has taken a major toll on her physical human body. Feeling embarrassed that I was being selfish, I put my champagne glass down and humbly obliged her request.

I follow her into a dressing room and waiting for her was a white dress that looks like it weighed four times the weight of my poor Audrey.  It also looked like it was meant for a wedding ceremony.  I opened my big, unfiltered mouth, "Ummm... why are you changing into a wedding dress?  You're not getting married."  "Would you just shuttup and help me into this?  Gawd you're awfully whiny tonight."  I was going to retort but thought better against it.  I struggled getting the dress of a thousand pounds onto Audrey's tiny frame.  She then remembered she had to change to a strapless bra so she asked me to help her with that as well.  By this time I was sweating from the work out so I told her to screw it and just let her girls hang out.  She gave me THAT look.  When Audrey decides that she wants something done, the woman will not stop until its done.  Rather than fight her, I grabbed her bra and attempted to try to figure out all the convoluted straps of the laces on the back of the dress and the snaps of the bra.  I swore under my breath, "Fuck, why am I stuck in this damn tiny room for half the evening wrestling with straps and stupid laces when everyone else is out there having an awesome time.  Why didn't you stay in the same dress like everyone else?"  Audrey rolls her eyes and then lectures, "You know, the more energy you spend complaining, the more you are missing out on the party.  Besides, if you weren't such an Asian light weight you would have had me laced up days ago but nooooooooooooo... instead I have a drunk helping me with the dress."

I finally tied up the last lace and triumphantly stood back to admire my tipsy efforts.  My big, drunken mouth hit the marble floor with an echoing clang.  The "bra" I thought I was wrestling to get on Audrey was actually a breath taking pair of luminescent Angel wings!  The "wedding dress" that I heft up her frail frame was actually a flowing Goddess dress.  I stood back in sheer amazement.  "So how do I look?"  Audrey looked her former healthy self.  Her gorgeous red hair was neatly tucked behind her cute little elf ears.  Her ivory skin glowed like a pearl.  The shine in her eyes sparkled brightly.  She was just absolutely radiant and I stood silently in awe.  Her white ethereal light illuminated the entire place and I, like everyone else in attendance, was embraced in an eternal peace.  "YOU... my dear friend look perfect!" I proudly gasped.  Audrey breaks into a giant smile, "Okay little lady... it's GO time!"

She stepped out on the veranda and the entire party all cheered to her beautiful transformation.  "To Miss Audrey!" everyone thunderously toasted.  Someone then poked me in the side.  "Excuse me Huong, I have the bill for Audrey's party whenever you're ready."  "Oh... see my father-in-law over there?  His name is Trevor Rennie.  Just charge everything to his account."

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Dear Audrey: Thank you for everything you taught me. Especially the lessons I never realized I needed to learn. Thank you for all the laughter. Especially during the times when it was hard to smile. Most of all, thank you for being such an inspiration. Especially in the times when it felt there was no light. You have earned your Angel wings and thank you for inviting each of us to your Life party. 
Love your party crasher - Huong

(This is the card I pulled after I wrote this Blog)