The room was filled with family and friends, but the atmosphere was gloomy and the infrequent conversation was in hushed tones. He appeared to be asleep, but his labored breathing told the story: he probably wouldn't last the night. Occasionally his eyes would open, but there was a dullness in them that spoke of pain and pain killers and impending death. One sat at his bedside, gently stroking his hand. They all knew this day would come, but wished it could be at some distant point in the future.

John stood on the bank of the broad expanse of water and watched as its muddy waters flowed past. Thinking about entering them gave him a shiver as he thought about how cold and dirty the river was, yet enter them he must if he were to get home. He looked up and down the endless river bank, hoping there would be a boat he could use, and then it dawned on him that more than likely a boat would come for him. He began to gaze toward the opposite side of the river, but a thick haze kept him from seeing anything clearly. From time to time he thought he saw a light twinkle and for a moment imagined that it was the bow light on a small boat. He hoped someone came for him soon as it was getting late, and this time of year darkness came quickly. It had been a long and difficult trip and he wanted to get home as soon as possible.

Most in the room had been there many times before, usually during happier times. They all wished it could be a happier time now, but as the man's condition worsened almost by the minute, in place of laughter, there was the sound of quiet sobbing. Some were praying for a miracle, but others who didn't believe in miracles had a mixture of grief and anger as they thought of their loved one being cruelly taken from them. It wasn't fair, and that's why they didn't believe in any God, for surely if He existed he wouldn't allow this to happen to them, to him.

As the darkness began to fall, John thought perhaps he had gotten it wrong and there would be no boat coming for him. The thought of swimming the river now at this time of day was frightening beyond description. It would be dark before he got to the other side, and getting disoriented in the middle of a river could be, would be disastrous. But then suddenly, he began to notice a glow on the far river bank. Were his eyes playing tricks on him again? No, this time it was real, only the glow wasn't the light of a boat, it was something else that came, not on the water, but above it. And then he saw them and his mouth fell open. They were so beautiful and yet powerful that he didn't know if they were male or female. “We've come for you” was the only introduction they gave.

As he lay in the bed, his eyes suddenly opened and he seemed lucid. His lips moved in a whisper, and the one closest leaned closer so that she could hear. “Can you see them?”, he asked her in a shaky voice. “See who?”, she questioned softly, thinking that he must be hallucinating again. “They're here for me,” he responded, “and I must go with them.” And then the miracle happened. For a brief moment, she saw them too.

John stood now on the side of the river at which he had gazed, thinking that he really didn't remember much of the crossing, being so enthralled with his companions that he could only stare at them in speechless wonder. They weren't here now, but he was sure he'd seem them and that he was in fact on the other side of the river. Strange he thought, there is no sign of haze here, and in fact it's as bright as midday, and  he was sure the crossing had taken no more than a moment. In the distance stood one who looked like his recent companions and who beckoned him toward an even brighter doorway.

His hand went slack in hers, and with a quivering lip she said simply, “He's gone. John is gone.” The room erupted in loud sobbing that only those who have lost loved ones can imagine.

Just as John was entering the doorway, the two who had accompanied him entered the throne room and with the simplicity with which they had announced to him their purpose, they announced to the One on the throne and to all present, “He's here.” All of heaven erupted in the joyous celebration that only those who have crossed the river can imagine. John was home at last.