The Inheritance

I had become somewhat depressed, spending a great deal of time alone, trying to control the crazy thoughts in my head. Tormenting questions trashed through my mind even outweighing the thunderous bombardment of space debris which clashed against the metal capsule I called home. These thoughts were colossal mysteries, mostly regarding my biological family and my planet of origin. Struggling day after day to assimilate a glimpse into my heritage, I had practically shredded the quart-sized zippered bag which held the entirety of my personal possessions. My family’s planet could only be seen from a ‘bird’s eye view’; a bird’s eye view multiplied by two million or so. I’m sure that distance seems like an unfathomable separation, an unconquerable divide to non-space travelers, and for me it was definitely a long distance away from my reality.

Hurtling through space in the small peanut shaped cocoon named Salem, our crew of forty-one, (counting the robots, fifty-three), had indeed been millions of miles from our homeland. On one particular day in the new year, I caught a rare moment of almost complete silence as we sped through the Milky Way and decided to take profound and immediate action to resolve my tumultuous, perplexing contemplations. In fact, all was exceptionally quiet except for occasional rocks pelting the numerous huge windows. I inhaled deeply and addressed the troop: “Indigo Children, my fellow tube-mates, and Priest Melchizadek,” continuing with a somewhat shaky voice, “though second in command, you know I am simply ‘one of you’ having been born on this ship along with my best friends/tube-mates. Proudly, we recognize ourselves as the remnants of the third planet. We admire those who were wise enough to send the forty embryos who became ‘us’, and the young Indigo Child named Melchizadek, aka, Priest ‘M’, into space twenty years ago.”

Deeply inhaling at that point and continuing in a Star-Wars’ Vice Chancellorish manner, “We have counted down the years and days to the present, January, 2040. Then I reiterated a fact that was deeply ingrained in each of us, “Our mainframe data clearly states that we could consider returning to mother Earth after twenty years. With all manner of scrutiny, we’ve seen her settle back into her lovely clear blue atmosphere, and there is also visual evidence of both green land and aqua blue water. Earth is beckoning us back. We’ve dreamed of a time when we could go there and search for remains of our heritage, our homeland and possibly remaining life. Though returning may create additional remorse for us, we must quell our curiosity about the damage done by the asteroid two decades ago. Priest ‘M’, I petition you, may we now return?”

Priest ‘M’, named after the Holy Bible’s “King of Peace”, with his youthful countenance, demonstrated a presence of Godly wisdom gained from research into holy books. Amazingly, he was just twelve when he was chosen to accompany a dozen well-programmed robots and a precious cargo of human embryos on ship Salem. We often laughed knowing it was an ingenious effort by the earthlings to attempt to preserve their progeny; just ‘sail-em’ out into space! However, with solemn respect we knew that they had been warned of impending asteroid collision in plenty of time to strategically organize, design and launch the project which sheltered us from possible destruction. We respected our parents’ decisions and considered ourselves to be as special as the planets which had become our playgrounds; they had allowed us to avoid catastrophic peril in their hope of preserving a remnant of humankind.

Living up to his namesake, our leader and mentor, Priest ‘M’, was a friend to all and a promoter of peace throughout the universe. Disseminating his ideology for peace, he called us the ‘Indigo Children’, an earthling term established in the 1970’s for the taxon of humans who were destined to pave the way for future generations to live in peace and harmony with tolerance and respect for life. Our character training under our kind and loving mentor was so imperious that I could envision only a peace-loving universe. Our very ship’s name, Salem, in all languages we had studied, meant ‘peace’.

Much discussion ensued following my appeal for returning to Earth; enthusiasm mixed with apprehension grew among our nomadic troop. Each person agonized a bit that we might encounter complete dystopia as opposed to the much hoped for utopia that we had read about in the annals, via the robots. Throughout the years we had scoured our onboard resources for information about human nature, as well as the history of our ancestors and governments. We had also studied physical outcomes of asteroid impact. What could possibly remain of geologic Earth and the civilization our parents had known? Was there any hope for material gain through returning to that planet? What might we inherit? Would there be any compassion or emotional ties to our families if they could even be located? All of these questions created such dissonance of thought that we needed a deliverer even greater than Priest ‘M’, though his blessings were upon the proposed venture.

Our thoughts raced constantly as we contemplated the forthcoming return to Earth. What a mixture of ambivalent emotions! Discovery might include remnants of a glorious lifestyle long-since passed, discovery of existing life, or none at all, and realization of ambitious goals our mentor had for us to establish peace and harmony, possibly contrary to the current environment. Yes, there could be heart-rending sadness, but maybe gratification as well.

With all the discourse on the mysteries awaiting us, and what might be discovered upon arrival in our homeland, came the challenging question, “Did we have the technology and resources to remove ourselves from it if necessary?” Would we desire to leave if we found no contentment or sustenance? Life as we knew it revolved around traveling the universe. We had seen many awesome sights and met some intriguing life forms, some verbal and some not, some placid, some not, and some as loving as a pet rock. I’m interjecting a bit of humor, but striving to convey that as star travelers, we had been seeking a congenial and loving civilization as we perceived earthlings to have been.

I reflected again on the ‘zippered bag mysteries’ which I wanted so greatly to unravel. My most unique treasure was a star-shaped gold locket. All Indigo’s possessed them, however, mine was exceptional in that it played music. It was intriguing to think that somehow my parents were able to create or obtain an extremely durable, tiny microchip which played recordings. I was the only Indigo who owned anything so technologically advanced. The sounds were very scratchy and vague, but looming in my mind was the possibility that they could be understood once we were back on Earth. The locket did, as one might anticipate, enfold two somewhat faded photos. I assumed these two normal looking humans were my parents. Deep within me there was a nagging, hopeful, yet saddening question, “Was there any chance these two, with such lovely countenances survived the collision?” Doubt seemed to always outweigh any optimism, but I clung to a tiny measure of hope that I would see them someday. There was a void in my heart and mind where memories should have been, even though I had never had even a brief encounter with the two who obviously cared so much for me. Frequently, the troop on board our ship had tears in our eyes when we spoke the word ‘parents’.

In preparation for our long-desired return to Earth, and as aforementioned, having encountered some non-placid types in our travels, I felt compelled to find out all that I could about promoting peace and harmony, driven to ‘pave the way’ for it in our new environment if necessary. I harkened back to statements made by Priest “M”as he sought to enhance the natural virtues of Indigo Children, teaching us that the supreme authority on this topic was the Holy Bible, my best source for wisdom and answers on any subject.

Homeward bound, I happily and voraciously extricated bible commentaries and the good book itself in search of guidance from the Prince of Peace. My mission was a passion beyond seriousness . One by one, I took the very old bible study books in my hands, feeling the smoothness of their leathery texture, enveloped in their aura of being cherished whether that’s from their redolence or their very spirit. What a gift to have experienced that sense from an old book, a fragrance which embodies knowledge, immortal in nature. I was so enveloped by the powerful significance of the books that I momentarily forgot the purpose behind my research. I was quickly shaken back to consciousness by the sound of laughter. The response from the troop over our plans resulted in boisterous giddiness. I had not witnessed such a degree of whimsy, even when as teenagers we watched videos of the slim green aliens from the UFO’s using electrified body probes on human beings...such a humorous “Green New Deal”! Of course there was no end to the jokes that abounded in that light-hearted era. Now, in my state of mind, I had largely ignored my friends’ frivolity, however, joined in the laughter when tube-mate #6 declared that agenda item #1 would unobjectionably be seeking a ‘rocky road ice cream mine’. The word “Yum” resonated loudly throughout the capsule as I continued to feed my own passion for mining...mining for wisdom.

I didn’t know what it took to become a preacher but the book written by one of them, Peter, touched me right in the most tender part of my heart. It was as though he was writing directly to the troop of Salem: (Holy Bible. New King James Version, 1 Peter 1-8) “Greetings to the Elect Pilgrims”, (1)“To the pilgrims of the Dispersion...” (7)“...the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes...” (Oh! It had not previously occurred to me that my gold locket was perishable.) I reread that part, “that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes... may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, (8) whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.” Assuredly the Indigos did know a great deal about ‘loving the unseen’; we loved our parents because they loved us, and sought the best for us even through the sacrifice of never seeing us and never physically touching us.

After Peter’s commentary on love was introduced in just a few sentences, he went on to say that we should, “Honor all people. Love the Brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King.” (1 Peter 2:17). Belief, faith, hope and love are the ribbons that encapsulate peace. I was wondering how I could ever carry this message beyond our little capsule. Would any remnant of earthling society be knowledgeable of or receptive to this philosophy?

As if the preacher, Peter’s, oratory in book 1, wasn’t deep enough for my child-like brain, I took a peek at his second writing, II Peter 1: 2, which says, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” Reading further, I discovered that we do indeed have a greater priest, far more majestic than Priest ‘M’; there is a God who exists for all time and for all creation and that through knowing Him we will have the measure of grace and peace that we need. Our parents must have known Him and that is why they didn’t want us to leave Earth without resources to guide us toward this loving heavenly father, the Prince of Peace.

Shockingly, in my delving into this ‘wisdom mine’, I missed the remarkable split- second phenomenon of traveling through a wormhole which took us within minutes of Earth’s atmosphere. Priest ‘M’ had wanted to surprise us with his short-cut to what we were seeking, and what we had long imagined. Swoosh! We were on land before we could get GPS’s in our hands.

As thoughts whirled through my mind, I hardly knew what took place prior to being the first to gleefully disembark, jumping ship, so to speak, in my euphoric state. I was soon brought to my senses when a loud boom or explosion shook the very ground on which my feet landed! What a welcome celebration! Fireworks? Or was it war?

We were soon smacked into the realization that there were indeed inhabitants of the planet we wanted to claim as our homeland, but they were not welcoming nor loving! If our parents had survived, they were without a doubt hiding from what appeared to be a tyrannical, socialistic ruling party. Controversy and rebellion seemed to be the state of the culture we had catapulted into. A quick assessment told us that greed had led to destruction of many facets of civilization. What the asteroid collision had not destroyed, mankind had! Our hearts were torn apart.

I did not fear confrontation with these blatantly bad guys because I had learned from the preacher, Peter, that when God is for us, no man can overcome us. However, I hurriedly forced my tube-mates back onto the Salem and grabbed the Holy Bible (as my armor, I suppose... for lack of a better explanation)! I was determined to defeat the tyrants with words at all cost. Those words would serve as my sword, but in an instant, actions and reactions spun out of control into an utter state of confusion.

There’s no describing what came next. I felt frozen, unable to move from my neck down, finding myself submerged in a hot-tub full of paraffin, and surrounded by pitiful- looking earthlings. I perceived them as pitiful because they were very down-trodden and it appeared that they had no glimmer of love or hope in their eyes. It was apparent that poverty was cast throughout the surroundings. I could see that they were in dire need of resources and it seemed that there must have been great struggling for the necessities of life; subsequently, great suffering. As they demanded to know my business, having arrived so abruptly from the sky, and assuming that I was an enemy, my only recourse was to tell them exactly what I had learned from the preacher, Peter, and from Priest ‘M’. I babbled a bit about faith and belief, but it was the word ‘inheritance’ that caught their attention; an inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved for them in Heaven if they only believed in the Savior, Jesus Christ. Of those surrounding me, the one who appeared to be the dictator drew closer to me and said boisterously, “INHERITANCE? There is nothing for us to inherit on this planet! Everything of value was destroyed by the curse which came upon us from then skies! Your ‘starry band’ must be a curse as well!”

I could see that any opportunity to save my life had to open up immediately and begged for a moment of mercy hoping to identify myself as a friend and fellow earthling. Profoundly, the mob’s belligerence assuaged and I felt the paraffin heating a bit to free me. I grabbed my precious locket to show pictures of my parents. Stammering and clamoring to be understood, I prayed to God with all my mind that there would be time for me to prove myself and to prove His goodness.

Much murmuring and inaudible grumbling occurred while the dictator of the mob took a look at my meager presentation of the star-shaped locket. I must say my courage was inadequate; not what God would have expected of me. I feared that I might get my eternal inheritance quicker than I had hoped as the seconds seemed to be exaggerated into hours. My life seemed to be in the balance in those few seconds until I heard great laughter from the ‘judge and jury’ who were looking at my long treasured gold locket. My parents were apparently recognizable even though the pictures were two decades old. They were the 45th President and First Lady of the United States of America. Completely taken aback, how could I have missed that observation in my study of history!

In that moment I was so shocked and fascinated that I almost forgot how anxious I was to hear the recordings from the locket. I was struggling to regain composure as well as to project an image of peace. Reviving civilization through the wisdom I had obtained seemed a far stretch at that point. Having come to my senses, the words that I had read and heard from Priest ‘M’ resounded in my mind like bombs bursting in air and I was able to show those surrounding me the bible that provided answers about that inheritance. The loud one said, “Sir, do you have a Holy Bible that we could read and understand? We need wisdom and hope to relieve the misery we have created and to gain an opportunity for an inheritance beyond this miserable existence.” Before I could answer I realized that the locket’s recordings were being played and my parents had brilliantly given us gospel hymns which are timeless for all creation: “Jesus is Lord of All”, “The Solid Rock”, “How Great Thou Art” , “I’ll Fly Away” and “God of Our Fathers” among many others. All who heard were astonished, as was I! I instantly came to the realization that the inheritance our parents had bestowed upon us was truly more valuable than anything else in the universe; an avenue for securing hope, peace, contentment and understanding no matter where we found ourselves.

“God of Our Fathers” (based on Holy Bible, King James Version, Psalm 22:4: “Our fathers trusted in thee... ”) rang out brilliantly with seemingly supernatural magnitude: “God of our fathers, whose almighty hand leads forth in beauty all the starry band. Of shinning worlds in splendor thro’ the skies...Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace...Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way, lead us from night to never ending day; fill all our lives with love and grace divine...” (Roberts, Daniel C., Lyrics to God of Our Fathers, The Baptist Hymnal, Convention Press, Nashville, TN, copyright 1991, page 629; via the star-shaped gold locket, planet Earth, 2040.).

By Ellen Fisk, December 29, 2021