Aura's Choice

Aura’s Choice

Side-stepping a homeless person who had laid himself down

to sleep in a cloud of dust, Aura listened for a sound of a bird - even one

bird - to cheer her. Sadly, there was none. Nothing but a deep and unsettling silence interrupted only an occasional gut-churning caw of a huge raven that seemed to be following her.

So silly, all this, she thought to herself, this bleak perspective of the world.

Today was slated to be so fun! Happy day - happy dance! Today she was

cashing in on her birthday present - Best gift ever! And it wasn’t just a hot air balloon ride which would have been spectacular enough for her but this was far more than a mere soar-over. For Aura, nothing but the extreme would do - she had a choice.

***Appearing in a pool of light, Aura’s pilot awaited her approach. Immediately sensing her essence he grasped her deepest need and how to fulfill it.***

Aura was aware of an almost magnetic pull propelling her forward toward a

young man emanating a radiant light that haloed his sunny blondness.

“Welcome.”

She accepted his outstretched hand as he assisted her in navigating the step onto the launching pad where a colorful hot air balloon stood ready for her arrival. His name-tag announced his name: Gabe. “Have you made your choice for which ride you prefer?”

She had but to choose one bizarre option over all the rest equally outrageous and tempting alternatives:

1)Time traveling balloons, 2) Hot air balloons that make people (even those who shouldn't) fall in love while on board, 3) Rides that make passengers have religious experiences, 4) Hot air balloon rides that allow pets to talk to the people on the balloon.

After a fortnight of wild dreams followed by long days obsessing over her decision. Aura opted for -

“None of the above! Do you still have Number 5? The surprise one?”

Gabe smiled and held out to her a ceramic mini hot air balloon filled with golden cards, much like business cards. “Absolutely. In fact, I was hoping this would be your choice. It’s the right one for you. Now, take a card. Any card.”

She closed her eyes and, upon feeling the vibrations tickling her hand, indicating the right choice, withdrew a shiny gold card. Without reading it, she handed it to Gabe...

“Aha! Perfect! Make a wish!”

“Huh?”

“That’s your card! You make a wish and it comes true. Happy Birthday!”

They climbed aboard. The balloon was tugging at its tethers...all systems go…

“Your wish?”

“I wish for Peace on Earth - World Peace.”

“Whoosh!” They were off - soon bobbing and soaring above the diminishing earth. Aside from the soothing whoosh of the gas that kept them afloat, all there was to be heard was silence. Waves of silence washing away Aura’s dismal perceptions of the world.

She would swear on all that she held dear and precious, she saw angels floating alongside - and colors so vivid and vibrant they filtered through every cell in her body filling her with a joy beyond any she’d ever known. She’d found peace above earth.

Seconds - or eons - later, Gabe guided the balloon into a smooth, serene

landing. He and Aura exited the balloon and, together, walked the

path back to her car.

They were alone. Aura reached for Gabe’s hand. “There are no people, Gabe,

or animals. On my way to the balloon there were crowds out for the day, plus dogs, squirrels, and goodness knows what all in the woods there. Where is everybody and everything?”

“You wanted Peace on Earth, Aura. You can’t have it all. With people as with

animals, there will never be true peace. There will always be predators and

the push for more. Right now, with your wish, it’s your choice...Peace on

Earth or people and animals…What’s it gonna’ be?”

The truth hit hard. Tears flowed hard.

“Well?”

“I’m thinking!”

***