Chapter 18 heart choice

There is no sorrow on earth that heaven cannot heal. Thomas.Moore (Annotation: Thomas Moore (1779︱1852), Irish bard, who studied theology and law.), "Song of Solution" (Come, Ye Disconsolate) Although McCann was carrying Missy's body on the way back to the hut, time passed quickly.When they arrived at the hut, Jesus and Sha Ruiyu were already waiting at the back door.Jesus gently unloaded McCann, and they walked together to the studio where Jesus had been working all this time.McCann, who hadn't been in the place since the day he arrived, was surprised by the simplicity of the studio.The light that pours in from the large windows captures and reflects the wood chips that are still suspended in the air.The well-organized walls and workbenches filled with various tools facilitate the various activities carried out in the studio.This is clearly a sanctuary for master craftsmen.

His work stood directly in front of them, a masterpiece of art in preparation for the placement of Miss's body.As McCann walked around the box, he immediately recognized the etching on the wood.He looked carefully and found that the details of Missy's life were engraved on it.He found sculptures of Missy and her cat, Judas, and another of McCann sitting in a chair reading Dr. Seuss to her.The engravings on the sides and top of the wooden box show images of the whole family: Cortana and Missy are making cookies; A faithful representation of the ladybug brooch left by the murderer; and even a vivid depiction of Missy standing and smiling as she looks into the waterfall, knowing Daddy is on the other side.Interspersed between these images are Mith's favorite flowers and animals.

McCann turned and hugged Jesus, and as they embraced, Jesus whispered in his ear: This is Missy's help, she picked out the image she wanted to put on it. McCann hugged him even tighter, unable to let go for a long time. We have prepared the perfect place for her disembarkation, Sha Ruiyu said and floated by.McKinsey, right here in our garden. With great care, they gently placed Miss's body in the box, placed it on soft grass and moss, and filled it with flowers and spices from Sha Ruiyu's bag.After closing the lid, Jesus and McCann each easily lifted one end, carried them out, and followed Sha Ruiyu to the orchard in the garden that McCann had assisted in clearing.There, among the cherry and peach trees, surrounded by orchids and daylilies, a hole had been dug among the flowers that McCann had uprooted the day before.Pop was waiting for them.After the carefully carved box was gently buried in the ground, Dad gave McCann a big hug, and McCann responded with kindness.

Sha Ruiyu took a step forward.I, she said with a boastful bow, had the honor of singing Missy's song, which she had written especially for the occasion. And so she sang with an autumnal voice that slowly lulls the leaves and trees to sleep, and whose tones were the night to come and the promise of the dawn of a new day.It was the haunting tune he had heard her and his father hum before, and now McCann listened to his daughter's words: blow my breath deeply I might be able to breathe and live Hold me tight, I might fall asleep Embracing softly with everything you gave Come and kiss me, wind, take my breath away

until you become one with me We'll dance among the tombstones until death disappears no one knows we exist wrapped in each other's arms only the one who breathed in keep me safe from harm Come and kiss me, wind, take my breath away until you become one with me We'll dance among the tombstones until death disappears When she finished singing, there was silence, and then the Trinity God said amen in unison.McCann repeated the amen, took a shovel, and with the assistance of Jesus, began to shovel soil to fill the hole and cover the box where Missy's body rested. When the task was complete, Sha Ruiyu reached into her clothes and took out her fragile little bottle.She dropped a few drops of the precious collection from the bottle into her hands, and began to sprinkle McCann's tears carefully into the black loam where Missy slept.Teardrops slide down like diamonds and rubies, and wherever they fall, flowers grow up and bloom in the bright sun.Sha Ruiyu paused for a moment, carefully looked at the pearl placed in her hand at the moment, it was a special tear, and then threw it in the middle of the small piece of land.Immediately a small tree bursts out of the ground, and from that land begins to thrive, youthful, wanton and astonishing, growing and maturing until it blooms.Then, Sha Ruiyu whispered softly like a breeze, turned around and smiled at the stunned McCann, and said: McCann, this is the tree of life, growing in the garden of your heart.

Dad walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder.Missy is amazing, you know that.She really loves you. I miss her so much and it still hurts. I know, McKinsey.I know. Judging from the trajectory of the sun's rays, it was just past noon when the four of them left the garden and returned to the cottage.Nothing was prepared in the kitchen, and there was no food on the table.Instead, Dad led everyone into the living room, where there was a glass of wine and a loaf of freshly baked bread on the coffee table.They sat down, only Pop remained standing.He spoke directly to McCann. McKinsey, he said, we have something for you to think about.You have been greatly healed and learned a lot during your time with us.

I think that's an understatement to say.McCann chuckled. Dad smiled.You know, we really like you.But now you have a choice.You can stay, stay with us, continue to grow and learn; you can also go back to another home, back to Cortana, children and friends.Either way, we promise to be with you forever, although the first way is clearer and clearer. McCann sat back, thinking.What about Miss?he asked. Well, if you choose to stay, Pop went on, you'll see her this afternoon.She will come too.But if you choose to leave this place, then you are choosing to leave Mith. The choice is not easy.McCann sighed.There was a few minutes of silence in the living room as Dad gave McCann space to struggle with his thoughts and desires.McCann finally asked: What would Missy want?

While she would love to be with you today, she lives without impatience, so she doesn't mind the wait. I also want to be with her.He smiled at the thought.But Cortana and the other kids will have a hard time.I ask one more thing.Does it matter what I do when I get home?Does it matter what I do?I don't really do much other than go to work and take care of my family and friends Sha Ruiyu interrupted him.McCann, if anything matters, everything matters.Because you matter, everything you do matters.Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; every act of kindness and service, tangible or intangible, accomplishes my purpose, and everything will no longer be the same.

Well, McCann said determinedly.Then I want to go back.I don't think anyone will believe my words, but if I go back, I know I can make some changes, no matter how small.Anyway, I still have a few things I need, uh, want to do.He paused for a moment, looked at them one by one, then grinned.You know that too. They all laughed. And I really believe that you guys will never leave me or abandon me, so I'm not afraid to go back.Well, maybe a little scared. That, said Pop, was a very good choice.He smiled brightly at him and sat down beside him. Now Sha Ruiyu stood in front of McCann and spoke.McKinsey, since you want to go back, I have one more gift for you to accept.

what gift?McCann asked, wondering what Sha Ruiyu would give him. It's for Kate.she says. Kate?McCann exclaimed, only to realize that she was still a burden in his heart.please tell me. Kate believes she is to blame for Miss' death. McCann was taken aback.What Sa Ruiyu told him was so obvious that it became very reasonable for Kate to blame herself.It was she who raised the oars that started the chain of events that led to Missy's capture.He couldn't believe it had never occurred to him.In an instant, Sha Ruiyu's words opened up a new perspective for entering Kate's struggling heart.

Thank you so much!He told her, full of gratitude.Now he had to go back, if only for Kate's worth.She nodded and smiled, then appeared to sit down.Finally, Jesus stood up, reached over to one of the shelves, and took McCann's little tin box down.McCann I thought you might want this McCann took the tin box from Jesus and held it in both hands for a moment.Actually, I don't think I'll ever need this again.He said.Can you keep it for me?Anyway, all my most precious treasures are hidden in you.I want you to be my life. I am your life.The voice that came was clear and filled with sincere assurance. Without ceremony, without ceremony, they ate warm bread, shared wine, and laughed about the strange times of the weekend.He knew it was over and it was time to go back and figure out how to tell Cortana everything. He has nothing to pack.Several items that had been in his room had disappeared and must have returned to the car.He took off his climbing clothes and put on the clothes he had come in, freshly washed and neatly folded.When he was finished, he took his coat off the hook on the wall and took a last look around the room before leaving. God is the Servant, he snickered, and then felt it again, because the thought made him pause.God is my servant, it feels more real. When McCann returned to the living room, the three of them had disappeared.A steaming cup of coffee was waiting for him by the fire.He didn't get a chance to say goodbye, but he thought it seemed a little silly to say goodbye to God.The thought made him smile.He sat on the floor, sipping coffee with his back against the fire.The coffee was so good, he felt warmth all the way down his chest.Suddenly, he felt exhausted, his body drained by a flood of emotions.His eyes closed on their own as if consciously, and before he knew it, McCann fell into a peaceful dreamland gently and gently. His next sensation was cold, icy fingers piercing his clothes and freezing his skin.He woke up with a start and hurried to his feet, his muscles sore and stiff from lying on the floor.He looked around, and soon saw that everything was back to how it was two days ago, even the blood by the fire where he had just fallen asleep. He jumped up and ran out the broken door into the damaged hallway.The hut was old and ugly again, with rusted and broken doors and windows.Winter covers the forest and trails to Willy's Jeep.The lake was barely visible under vegetation such as tangled brambles and thorny shrubs.Most of the dock's structure has sunk, with only a few larger piers and appurtenances still standing.He is back in the real world.Then he just smiled to himself, more likely he returned to the unreal world. He pulled his coat tighter and walked back to the car, following his tracks still visible in the snow.By the time McCann got to the car, there was a little fresh snow falling.The drive back to Josephtown was smooth and smooth, and he arrived in the darkness of a winter evening.He filled up the gas, ate some tasteless food, and tried to call Xiaona, but he couldn't get through.He told himself that she might still be on the way, and that if she got through, the signal would be intermittent at best.McCann decided to drive to the police station to see if Tommy was there, but after a few laps and no one was seen, he decided not to go in.He didn't even know how to explain what happened to Cortana, let alone Tommy. The next intersection turned red and he stopped the car.He was tired, but calm and strangely excited.He thought he would have no problem staying sane on the long drive home, and he longed to be home, to his family, especially Kate. Lost in thought, McCann drove straight through the intersection when the light turned green.He didn't even see the other driver go through the opposite red light at all, just a blinding flash and then nothing but silence and darkness. In an instant, Willy's red jeep is wrecked.A few minutes later, the fire brigade, ambulance personnel and police arrived.Within hours, McCann's shattered, unconscious body was flown by rescue helicopter to Immanuel Hospital in Portland, Oregon.