The young woman stepped into the garden, while taking a long, soothing breath. Her long dark hair swayed as she walked past the golden arch at the entrance of the garden. She reached up to move her glasses as habit demanded, but she could find nothing sitting on her dainty nose. Amused by her own forgetfulness, she grinned while remembering the fact that she did not need glasses to see clearly anymore. She rubbed her small eyes instead, then started to notice the beauty before her.

Taking another deep breath, she absorbed all the magnificence of her surroundings: the colorful Roman-styled garden with inviting gazebos and fountains, leading to the towering golden gate that she suspected could be seen from anywhere in the garden.

The air was crisp and fresh, and the sky was bright with only a hint of wispy thread-like clouds. Outside the garden, the distant hills stood proudly, a view that was both nostalgic and new. She was sure that the world where she came from offered similar scenery, yet there was something about the way the trees rhythmically moved in the gentle breeze that awakened her already enkindled spirit. She smiled upon the realization that she was finally home.

She decided to slow down and stroll towards the tall glimmering gate, feeling immensely relieved that she was finally allowed to leave the waiting place. It had been a long and grueling period. She was not aware of the time, but each minute felt like a year, and each day seemed to pass at an excruciating pace. The thought of comparing it to serving some prison time had occurred to her. She nodded to herself, chuckling. That was an accurate analogy.

While her eyes continuously feasted on the surreal beauty of the place, she spotted some others like her who had recently been released from the waiting place. They smiled and nodded to one another in a silent celebration, each enjoying their freedom and savoring the moment. The young woman shifted her gaze again towards the golden gate. She recalled the time when she was summoned to come home. A lady in a blue dress came to pick her up, telling her that her Father was expecting her. She had mixed feelings then. Her beloved was devastated when he found out that she was leaving. His eyes reflected the pain he felt in his heart, yet bravely he told her to go ahead. He would catch up with her when his time came. His hands felt warm as he gently squeezed hers. He said, “Go home. I’ll be fine.”

She brushed a tear that brazenly fell on her cheek, took a deep breath, and quickened her pace. Her beloved would soon join her in that place behind the gate. She knew that her Father had prepared a special place for both of them and had promised them that in that place, they would eventually be free from any suffering.

The golden gate appeared taller as she moved closer to it. Yet in its elegance and grandeur, it offered a peaceful invitation. She caught a glimpse of a familiar face, a man in a white suit, smiling knowingly at her. She knew this man, she thought, and he certainly knew her.

“Maria,” he called. “Peter,” she answered with a respectful nod.

Peter had a lovely countenance, adorned by neatly trimmed brown hair, a thick pair of lush eyebrows, and such ageless eyes that reflected the many colors of the sky. There was a delightful lightness about him that helped ease her excitement a little. He talked to her like she was an old friend, catching her up about the news and everything else that had been happening behind the gate, the place he termed “the kingdom”.

“The king has never looked so pleased. All week, your homecoming was all He talked about, Maria,” Peter reported gleefully.

Maria felt like crying all of a sudden. Warmth spread throughout her body. It was hard to comprehend the king’s love for her. She had known for a long time that she was one of the heirs to his kingdom. But it never really sank in, even at that moment.

Peter’s smile grew wider. He took her by the hand and said, “Let’s not be late to your party.” Maria nodded eagerly. She could hear a joyful hymn playing as the gate was opening. The choir was singing, a welcoming melody. As she entered through the gate, more familiar faces appeared, smiling warmly, saying, “Welcome home.”

Maria beamed, “It is good to be home.”