Real Estate Agents may have described the property as an “idyllic acreage” or “picturesque rural setting”. Indeed it was these and more. The grass rolled down to the huge dam which was home to a variety of water birds and a family of wood ducks. The dam would have been a haven of tranquility for the birds except for the big black Labrador dog that also resided on the property. He would take great delight in running down to the dam when the wood ducks landed. Diving in, this big dog with retrieving stamped all over his genes, would swim frantically in futile attempts to catch the ducks who always proved too elusive.
Huge Grey gums dotted the property and provided shade for the half dozen or so cattle that meandered aimlessly about.
Near the gravel road that provided access to this haven was a quaint little cottage that housed a very loving family, a husband, his wife and their three year old son. They had been attracted there by the inviting descriptions Realtors had provided in local property guides. It was a little more expensive than they had budgeted for but they had fallen in love with it from the moment of their first inspection. They stretched their financial resources to the limit to purchase what they called their “dream come true.”
Because of heavy mortgage commitments it was necessary for the wife to obtain employment which was in an area that required her to absent from home on some weekends and on these occasions the boy was left in the care of the father.
On one such weekend the mother telephoned the family home to speak to her husband as she always did on her away from home trips. It was at the time of this conversation that the family of wood ducks decided to land on the dam. The big Labrador was ecstatic to see the arrival of his quarry and charged down to the dam at full gallop, with the little toddler who worshiped him, in full flight behind. The dog plunged into the dam and again began his frantic attempts to retrieve a duck. The little boy followed. The ducks could swim; the dog could swim; the little boy couldn’t.
At the conclusion of the phone call the father went in search of his son and the tragedy he was to come upon will haunt him with “if only” for the rest of his life
This story was related to me by a very good friend who regularly attended my restaurant on the Gold Coast in Queensland. Australia. He asked me if I could write some words of consolation for the parents of the little boy and I responded with this piece called “An Angel.”
Sometimes God’s Angels take a holiday
and they come down to Earth for a short stay,
sometimes we are blessed to have them stay with us
and for that time we feel Heaven’s touch.
Really they’re not supposed to be here at all
and when God finds them missing they must heed
His Call,
for up in Heaven there is much to be done
by God and his Angels and His Almighty Son.
It causes us great sadness when the Angels suddenly leave
but they don’t want us to pine and grieve,
but rather they would have us rejoice,
knowing that they had stayed with us by their own choice.
And the special love an Angel is able to impart
lives on forever inside our heart.
So if an Angel has been with you it’s for sure
you have been given the key to Heaven’s Door.
