The Final Farewell

"The divine air lingers crisply and intently for Earth to share her precious purpose; Meant only for those daring enough to pursue the breath of inspiration into tomorrow." Words from the late Adam Ellington echo through our minds and straight into our souls. We all know Adam’s perception and philosophical processing never left a soul untouched. Whenever he spoke you felt every last word, as if an emotion waiting to be embraced; a new way of unconditional love, eager to be shared. He was made of compassion and a special kind of empathy for all people. The depth of connection he reached in his time will always be unreachable by any other human. He was the epitome of a Saint and we are all better for knowing him. May his soul rest in peace."

Silence suddenly engulfed the room, bringing back reality accompanied by brief sniffles and sighs from Adam’s friends and family as they worked towards the acceptance of his transition from this world to the next. After a moment of silence I walked back my seat next to Jessica and Lucy. We hugged again, a little longer this time; tears flowed freely down our cheeks as we remembered it is he who taught us how to love deeply.

I couldn't help but drift into my thoughts and wonder how many lives he must have reached with his selflessness. My mind continued… “Additionally, how many of those lives will carry on his legacy of unconditional love and compassion?” I squeezed the girls a little tighter, but this time for him.

“Wait!” A surge of ‘inspa-chills’ (Adam’s word for inspired chills) addressed me down to my soul as it becomes more aware. “Could this be an opportunity to start a collaboration and collectively cause a ripple effect of positive change throughout the world like Adam?"

We let go and tidied our sweaters then sat back against our seats. It wasn’t an ideal time, but I had become inspired. Adam had done it once again, except this time it was right in the middle of his memorial service! Call me crazy, but it really seemed like all of his seeds of inspiration had been placed and this was a form of his final farewell. The thought of it brought a cheeky grin to my face as I realized the ripple effect had already begun. The love he had was still alive and well and inside all of us. The atmosphere around us lit up and became brighter. It was in that very moment I was convinced it was brewing inside all of us too.

A week later

It’s been a week since Adam’s memorial and Jessica is still distraught after losing the love of her life and the father of her only child, Lucy. By the way, I’m Alison. I’m Jessica’s sister and best friend. Adam was my brother-in-law and the absolute best husband anyone could ever want for their sister. Lucy is my 10-year-old niece, also known as Adam and Jessica’s daughter. She’s been quiet and private as she is still trying to adjust to life without her hero, dad, and best friend. I’ve been doing the best I can to help them process and heal, but that is only a journey oneself can conquer. Going through his belongings and will of testament has proven to be a lot harder mentally than any of us were expecting.

Adam made envelopes that were meant only for his greatest allies. They were addressed to Lucy, Jessica, Luke, and myself. Luke is my husband and Adam’s best friend since their freshman year of college together.

Each one included a special message and a unique inspiration mission created for each of us and what he considered to be our strengths and attributes to our upcoming destiny. The fifth journal was locked inside a safety deposit box at one of the First Federal Credit Banks at an unspecified location. It would only become accessible on one certain day. And could only be opened if each of our missions were completed and would need our collaboration. Only the 4 of us were to be present to unlock the fifth and final journal.

Adam’s unknown plans went just as he had planned. All four of his closest allies were all focused on fulfilling their envelope missions and not distracted by anything else.

Alison’s message:

“Dear Sweet Alison,

You are the most politely determined person I’ve ever met. Your persistence shows a tremendous deal of strength and ambition. Jessica, Lucy and I wouldn’t have made it near as far nor as graciously without you. You always inspired us to keep going no matter how unclear or foggy the path we took became. Here’s something none of you knew about me, but will continue in the legacy to protect Earth.

Because of you I was able to build an entire silent army to protect all of humanity from the evil Madagascar Barn Owls of Flyforce. Our soldiers are specially trained in the ways of silence, assertion, and purpose. The evil Barn Owls have been planning an invasion and resurrection of the Guatemalan Stump Portal over the last 5 years.

Circumstances have gotten increasingly threatening over the last 12 months. The Flyforce Barn Owls have begun to push through the Guatemalan security barriers and have been progressing rather quickly. Projections show they will have seized Guatemala by 85%, overtaking their government and the inactive Stump Portal by the end of the January. Their goal is to resurrect the Stump Portal to conquer and destroy all forms of humanity.

They will begin to nest in January and become even more aggressive than usual. We cannot let them get any closer to the Stump Portal! You are the commander of the Silent Army of Humanity and must press forward. You will meet with ONLY Lucy, Jessica, and Luke at the Southtown First Federal Credit Bank located across from the Farmer’s Market Venue. Once you’re all inside go to the counter and ask for Henry and request he bring information about “Flyforce Prevention Protection.”

A robot named Jeffbot will come out and instruct you to follow through the hidden door behind the vending machine. From there the fifth envelope will be revealed to the four of you.

The four of you all have individualized roles and together you will save Humanity from the evil Madagascan Barnowls of Flyforce!

Love,

The Best Bro Ever”

Lucy, Jessica, Luke, and I made it to the specified First Federal Credit Bank in Southtown. I asked for Henry and the “Flyforce Prevention Protection.” We met Jeffbot and made it back to the vending machine. A holographic door appeared from within Jeffbot and we were transported into another dimension. As we continued there was like a gravitational force that pulled us all towards a strange looking table holding what looked to be the fifth envelope.

The closer we got to the envelope we started to hear a crazy commotion that grew louder as we approached. I could then clearly tell that it was screeching and aggressive wing flapping wind that went on for miles! The atmosphere suddenly started to darken and turn brutally cold. Wind from the wings of the evil owls restrained us and inhibited our abilities to properly move.

I pushed through the force of wind, barely able to breathe and reached for the letter and forced it open. All of the screeching came to a halt; everything simply fell silent. Our surroundings changed entirely and calmness filled our immediate area. Everything was warm and suddenly felt like home within our souls. The letter turned into millions of tiny sparks that magically engulfed the table that was holding the envelope.

As the moment continued I realized Adam’s Army was the fifth letter and the table was the Stump Portal! And when I opened the letter I had lead the silent army to battle and in that moment the evil Madagascar Barn Owls were defeated. They lost their chance to resurrect the Stump Portal in Guatemala forever.

Adam’s brilliance had saved humanity beyond the grave and he made it seem like it was just another day of the week. He was a prodigy and he chose us to continue his legacy in love, adventure, and heroism. We all know we won’t even come close, but we did learn from the best.

Defeating the evil Barn Owls was Adam’s real and final farewell, but it’s just the beginning of a whole new world and purpose for the four of us!