Graves Into Gardens.
Entry For Annie Kapur's "Sing Us The Song of the Century" Challenge.
The day my father died is marked in my memory forever, not only because of the sorrow it brought but because of something extraordinary that happened. It felt like heaven reaching out to touch me.
At the time, I was living alone in Ashton under Lyne, far from my family in Nigeria. Just the night before, I had spoken to my father. We shared hope. We prayed. I believed he would recover. That night, I stayed up until three in the morning, praying for his healing. The world felt still. Then I heard a knock at my door. When I opened it, no one was there.
A quiet voice in my spirit said, go to bed.
So I did.
Three hours later, just before six, my brother called with the news. My father was gone.
In the hours that followed, I felt disoriented. The grief was surreal. I walked aimlessly into the city centre and back. On my way home, I caught a glimpse of white near my house. It seemed as if someone was walking just behind me. I wondered whether it was only my mind trying to make sense of the shock. Still, there was something sacred in the air, something I could not explain.
When I returned to my small studio on Manchester Road, something happened that I will never forget. For a few moments, I felt as though I had been lifted from the room. It was as if I had stepped into another realm. I heard the sound of a choir, full of joy and celebration, singing a line I had never heard before.
🎶Oh there is nothing better than you.🎶
It was radiant. It was wild. It was beautiful. I could not see it with my eyes, but I knew deep in my spirit what it was. It felt like my father’s welcome celebration in a place beyond this world. It felt like a message telling me he was all right. I remembered the knock on the door. I believe now that it was him, stopping by for a final goodbye.
When I returned to myself, I searched for that lyric online and found the song. Graves Into Gardens by Brandon Lake. I had never heard it before that moment, but now it is part of me. It became a lifeline. It was confirmation that the grave is not the end. That something beautiful comes after.
Even now, when I hear it, I feel held. I feel reminded that there is more than what we can see. This song did not just comfort me. It changed me.
It is my sorrow song, my peace song, and my anthem of hope.
Thank you, Annie Kapur for the opportunity to relive this experience by telling this story.
About the Creator
Cathy (Christine Acheini) Ben-Ameh.
https://linktr.ee/cathybenameh
Passionate blogger sharing insights on lifestyle, music and personal growth.
⭐Shortlisted on The Creative Future Writers Awards 2025.
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Comments (23)
I was part of this challenge and read the other entries,too but how did I miss this one? I'm glad a stumbled upon it now. I didn't know this song before.
What a beautiful and divine experience. I’m so glad God showed you that your father is in a wonderful realm. ❤️🕊️
I particularly enjoyed this, and interesting mix of sadness & hope.
This gave me chills. What a sacred, soul-deep moment of connection and comfort. Thank you for sharing your grief and your hope so beautifully. The song lives in your story—and now, in our hearts too. 🌿🎶
Congratulations on your Top Story! It is so well-deserved!🫶🏾🎉
I like
i like
i like
This is THE written piece for those of us who are grieving. Your writing held the grieving lightly, but it also held the hope and the spiritual parts much stronger. The relationship between the realm beyond and the world we are in now, is more connected than we ever thought. And that in and of itself, brings a crazy amount of hope and well — Support, as it has done for you. Music is healing, I am glad you found one that could be all three things. Your sorrow, peace and your hope. Congratulations on your Top Story 🎉 🎉 🎉
Congratulating on your top story...
Dear Cathy (Christine Acheini) Ben-Ameh., Salam, My name is Kashif Amin, and I am from Pakistan. Please help me regarding the Vocal.Media platform. I am very passionate about writing ✍️ stories and articles, and I would love to publish them on your platform. Recently, I submitted a story for review (and also made it public). After submitting, I was redirected to the homepage. However, my story is not appearing in either the "Review" section or the "Published" section. Kindly help me resolve this issue. I am truly passionate about writing and want to share my work through Vocal.Media. Thank you!
Congratulations on your Top Story! I loved this when I first read it and it's stuck with me. I thought of this story yesterday as I mourned the loss of a piece of my childhood.
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
I lost my parents and a brother. Many other off shoots too. We all bond together in grief and celebration of their lives, Comments help to keep the bond together.
I am sorry for your loss. I have lost both my parents, and I know the pain you are feeling. But I do find comfort in knowing someday, I hope, to see them again.
I'm so sorry for your loss Cathy 🥺 Sending you lots of love and hugs ❤️ And I too believe that the grave is not the end
Thx 4 sharing this story of hope amidst grief. It is wonderful that you experienced comfort during that period. I agree that there is something special about that song. Its anointing touched me in a special way as well when you first shared it in one of your earlier pieces. It is truly a source of comfort! Sorry again for your loss sweet Cathy! You are appreciated as well! 🌸☺️
Wow, what an amazing experience during a sad time! I'm happy I inspired you to enter the challenge 😀
Hi, Cathy. My father is gone too, so I can sympathize. Thanks for sharing. All the best.
I remember well little tender mercies that appeared in the moments after my own father's passing, reminders that I had another Father who still watched over me and who had welcomed my dad back home. While losing my dad was one of the most painful things, it also remains one of the most spiritual and beautiful memories. Your words brought back all those bitter sweet feelings that I've come to cherish. I love how God reached out to you in your moment of grief and said, I see you.
nice...
Beautiful and poignant ❤️
Such a heartfelt and personal story xxx