"But why must they have to deal with THAT?"

"Because that is the master plan. It will help them to grow and develop."

"But I love them so. I hate to see the frustration and pain they are going through. For goodness sake, I diapered her and raised her from her first day on Earth. I nursed her through chicken pox, measles, her first date. I made her dress for her Senior Prom...She was so lovely. And no mother could have wanted a finer daughter. Why must she now learn to hate and despise me for what I have become?"

"Don't worry, dear. It isn't as bad as all that. There is a much bigger picture here. Think about it, and the truth of it will be given to you."

She remained silent for a moment and just stood with him, marveling at the scene before her. He waited patiently beside her, unhurried, letting her grasp the situation as best she could.

She watched the empty shell that had held her for a lifetime. It was old and wrinkled. The years showed with every movement. She was surprised that there was any life left in the old shell at all, for precious little of what she had become had been allowed to remain behind.

"Will she be able to do it?" she asked.

"Certainly--you have raised her well. Look..."

They watched again in silence as the daughter brought a simple cup of water to the old shell of a woman and helped her to drink. It went well, slowly at first, as the tentative daughter searched for the correct flow rate to prevent choking. Afterward, the daughter saw a brief glint of recognition...just for a moment, but it was enough. She hugged the old lady, not really comfortable doing it, but not resisting the urge as she usually did. Then she returned to the kitchen and dropped into a chair at the family table. She looked so tired. She ached in every muscle. Her eyes were tired from lack of sleep. Her nerves were frazzled from another long night of vigilance.

"Can she handle it? It seems so hard."

"It is hard, my dear, but she will grow from it. She will not only become a better person, but her marriage will be strengthened, the children will see her care for you and their respect for her will grow in a very special way. It may be hard to see at first, but it is an opportunity that few receive. The entire family will grow closer and learn to deal with even greater obstacles as a result of this time spent in caring for your temple."

"I think I am beginning to understand. Now I know what you meant about a greater curtain lifting as that one fell. I think I am ready."

She took one last look at her daughter, and blew her a silent kiss, before turning away and walking on to her next horizon with her guardian angel at her side. She WAS ready, and she knew her daughter was ready, too.