Ticket To Paradise

As Darrell's mother tucked him in, he stroked her face. He was young, but he knew what tired looked like, he definitely understood what tired felt like, and she was exhausted. Since the day he had been diagnosed, she suffered through everything he did. Yet, with an unbelievable gentleness and grace, she comforted him and held his hand until he fell asleep.

Darrell had always been an energetic boy, running 100 miles an hour, with an imagination that amazed everyone he met. But lately, he could barely sit up by himself, it had been months since he was able to walk or even stand by himself. His mom tried to tell him everything was going to be ok, but Darrell knew...his body couldn't lie.

When Darrell awoke, he found himself in the cockpit of a Boeing 747. He rubbed his eyes gazing around in disbelief. He continued to blink his eyes, until he realized, he was sitting in the copilot's chair. He looked down to see he was wearing golden wings on his collar, and a captain's hat on his head. His mother sat in the jump seat just behind him.

As he began to get his bearings, the captain greeted him. "Hello Darrell, I am Captain Nicholas, I'm so glad you agreed to be my copilot this afternoon. Our destination today is a place called Paradise Island, have you heard of it before?" Darrell shook his head no, glancing back at his mother, smiling.

"Well," said the captain," it's a beautiful place, and you are just the one to help us get there. Do you think you are up for the challenge?"

Darrell nodded his head and jumped to his feet, he was so excited about the view from the cockpit window, he didn't even notice that he was standing on his own.

The pilot walked Darrel through the details of his duties, and then instructed him to get buckled into his seat. "Darrell, I would like for you to make the announcements for the passengers traveling with us today, does that sound like something you can do?"

Darrell hesitated for a moment, and glanced back at his mother for support. She smiled and shook her head, encouraging him to try.

Darrell asked, "What do I say?"

Captain Nicholas replied, "Whatever you are feeling Darrell, this is your flight, they are here for your trip."

Darrell smiled so big that the sun seemed to get brighter. The captain gave Darrell some sunglasses, and Darrell giggled. "I have always wanted to fly, sir. I used to run with my arms out, pretending to be a plane, I can't tell you how happy I am." he said beaming as he looked back at his mother.

Darrell cleared his throat and began his announcement. "Ahem, may I have your attention?" He looked over at the captain for approval and continued his speech.

"Hi, my name is Darrell, I am 6 years old, and today I was told, we are going to paradise."

"I was afraid I would never be able to fly on a plane, because I have been sick, but here I am...copilot!" Darrell began to giggle. "I haven't felt this good in many months, and I can tell you, I am so happy you could be here with me and my mom. She has been very busy taking care of me, and sad, she worries a lot, but today she is relaxing and peaceful."

"The view from here is amazing, I wish you could all see it too, but Captain Nicholas says, everyone will get their turn. I'm sure you will, he is a very nice man. Well, that is all for now, if I can, I will talk to you all again soon, bye."

Darrell beamed with delight, and Captain Nicholas nodded his approval.

As Darrell turned to see his mother, he noticed she was crying.

Darrell caressed her face, as she had always done for him to help him relax, and he said, "it's ok mommy, please don't cry. Look at how beautiful it is, and look mommy, I am feeling so much better!"

She pulled him onto her lap and kissed his face.

"Yes, I see my love, I am so glad you are happy. I love you so much."

*

As his mother kissed his face, he was gone. He looked so peaceful, smiling, laying in his bed.

She would never forget the smile of her angel.

*

*

St. Nicholas of Myra

(died c. 346) Feast Day: December 6th

Perhaps the best known patron saint for children is the fourth century bishop St. Nicholas of Myra which is in modern day Turkey. Of course, today, he has been transformed into Santa Claus. The real saint was said to have been orphaned at an early age and received a substantial inheritance. He would be ordained a priest and later a bishop. Nicholas was known for his generosity and care for others.

There are several stories that we have from his lifetime which show his love for others and the miraculous. And, then after his death, there are even many more stories which demonstrate his intercession in helping people including performing miracles.

The one story from his lifetime that shows his love for others and seems to be the basis for the gift giving associated with him is about his helping a man and his three daughters. Reduced to poverty, the man had no dowry for his three daughters, and he was not sure what to do. When Nicholas heard of the man's plight, he secretly left gold in the man's home by dropping it though a window. On three separate nights, Nicholas left the gold to allow the man to have his daughters married with a proper dowry.