The Return of Frank Calloway, Chapter 10 of 11 (Penultimate Chapter)
Frank’s Parents Jackson and Crystalina Resurrected
NOTE: This is a fictional account, but is based somewhat unloosely on future prophesied events and promised conditions, as clearly as I can imagine them unfolding and being realized. It will be interesting to compare these prognostications of mine one day to how far off I was in some of my ruminations, and possibly how close I was with certain others. It is written in first person, with Frank Calloway as the protagonist. See Chapter 1 (there’s a link to it at the bottom) for more information.
The day of our parents’ resurrection was warm and sunny, with a slight breeze spreading the fragrance of flowers, filling the area with sweet scents and invigorating aromas.
But then again, every resurrection day can be described that way. Rain is sometimes needed, but it never rains on those days. And there is no dew on the ground those mornings, either, as the resurrectees are lying on the grass when they are awakened back to life. These meteorological phenomena are no coincidence. Jehovah God and His King, Jesus Christ, control the weather, providing each resurrected one with a sun-filled welcoming embrace on the first day of their new life — and always that light warm breeze to excite the sense of smell.
This celestial weather control also means that there are no more devastating tornadoes, floods, fires, and such — at least none that harm mankind: Periodic floods and fires in certain areas can be beneficial, but they never burn or flood human habitations. The Resurrection parks — of which there are several around the world — abound in flowers, not only as a welcoming back display for those returning to life, but also to delight the eyes and noses of all, contributing to the festive atmosphere.
Early that morning (if you consider sunrise to be early), my siblings and I met at the spot where we would be visible to our parents as they opened their eyes to a new world, a new future for them. We were excited, of course, talking among ourselves about all the things we would tell them, and wondering what their initial questions to us would be. We also wondered if they would immediately realize that, not only were they alive again, but were also young again. Rejuvenated is probably a better word, as we are not literally younger, of course. Time flows in one direction only.
Our parents might get that idea (that they were “young again”) in one of two ways: how they felt (no more aches and pains, or feelings of constant fatigue); or by seeing us, their children, in our youthful condition. Those clues might well lead them to the right and logical conclusion — that they, too, had been rejuvenated.
We all agreed on one thing, though, and the five others of us felt no jealousy, bitterness, or resentment as a result of it. We understood it. In fact, we welcomed it and looked forward to it, for we knew that our mom and dad would be especially joyful —‘beside themselves,’ even — to see Benjamin alive again. They had grieved over him for so long — during their entire lives after his death, in fact. Now they would be reunited, with each other and with all of their children, never to be separated by death again.
Yes, Audra Aileen, Chanelle Marie, Daniel, Emily Suzette, and I could barely wait to see the looks on our parents’ faces when they saw Benjamin standing there among us, welcoming them back with open arms and his whimsical smile.
And we were not disappointed with their reaction. They both ‘woke up’ simultaneously. They blinked, momentarily appeared to be confused, then looked at each other, smiled broadly, and cried out delightedly. Dad leapt to his feet, extended his right arm to mom and gently pulled her up. They hugged each other long and hard, wiping away each other’s tears of joy and relief. Of course, they noticed and commented on the fact that they looked as they had when they first met over a century prior: Their wrinkles had disappeared, the bags under their eyes were gone, their skin was clear, they stood straight and strong, and their hair had its original color and fullness. Then they heard us rejoicing over the scene unfolding before our eyes. We waved excitedly and couldn’t restrain our broad smiles and delighted laughter. The exquisite delight they exuded then emanated even stronger from them.
Mom and dad scanned our faces, with a look of exuberant anticipation. We all knew what they were thinking — who it was, in particular, they were looking for.
And then they saw him; mom spotted him first, and quickly tugged at dad’s sleeve, pointing to brother Ben. Involuntary cries of exultation and rejoicing escaped their lips, and they opened their arms wide as we approached in the same attitude. The scene of revelry and celebration that unfolded made that of championship-winning sports teams of the old system pale into mockworthiness by comparison: Shrieks of long-suppressed heartache were expelled, having been converted into shouts of all-encompassing joy.
Benjamin initially got most of the attention, as was proper, but mom and dad soon enough heartily hugged the rest of us as well. The looks of utter contentment on their faces was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life.
It was more strange for us to see our parents young again than it was for them to see us young again. After all, they knew us well when we were in the prime of life. They easily recognized the ‘25-year-old versions’ of us. To a parent, their children are always every age they ever were, anyway, so seeing us young again was only a slight and quickly-made mental adjustment for them. But for us to recognize them? Only from pictures had we ever seen them so young-looking; even in my infancy, they were already in their 30s, for example—“older” than they are now — older in appearance, that is.
As we all talked, my siblings and I led our parents to the Reflecting Pool. They didn’t ask where we were taking them; I think they were so intent on our conversation and were gazing on us so insatiably that it didn’t even register with them that we were taking them anywhere. But when we got there, and had them peer into the creek, we got to enjoy anew, by proxy, the realization that we really are young again — not just “having a good day,” but starting a whole new life!
Our parents, of course, weren’t the only ones resurrected that day. And it was almost as thrilling to watch others — even total strangers — as they were reunited with their loved ones. The hugs that were so tight as to almost seem violent were embraces of longing finally assuaged, and the streaming tears were veritable rivers of joy; how these contrasted with the heart-wrenching parting hugs and caresses that were shared amid tears of anguish the last time these reunited ones had seen each other. In many cases they had not even had an opportunity to say goodbye, as the death had been unexpected, and their last meeting had been ‘routine’ — or so it seemed at the time.
One especially touching scene, which occurred shortly before I was resurrected but I didn't hear about until the day my parents were resurrected, was of a boy and his mother receiving their father and husband back. The last time they had seen each other was at the Poland/Ukraine border in 2022. The man had said an emotional farewell to his wife, and the young son — only five years old at the time — had pleaded with his papa not to leave them. The father’s heart was breaking, too, to have to leave his family, but as he told them, he felt it was his duty to first guide them safely to Poland, but then return to Ukraine to help others reach safety. “Besides, son, they won’t allow me to leave the country. Men my age are not allowed to leave. I hope to see you all again soon. And no matter what happens,” he added, “Maintain strong faith that we will see each other again — in the new system of things at the latest — as long as we remain faithful to Jehovah.”
“But I can’t wait that long, papa!” the boy pleaded.
“It won’t be long, my son. It’s ‘just around the corner.’”
Those words — that they would see each other again — had partially reduced the boy’s anxiety, but they also scared him. He didn’t want to see his papa later; he wanted to see him now, and continue seeing him: five minutes from now; and later on that day; and tomorrow; and never have to be parted. The boy heard in his father’s words the possibility that they might not be reunited soon — that his father was confronting the possibility of his imminent death. The boy could not bear to even consider that. “Take us with you, then; I want us to stay together.”
The father could barely control his emotions then. He forced himself to form his face into a gesture that at least simulated a smile, and softly told his son that if he were to take them, it would be more dangerous — for all of them. “I don’t want to leave you, but I must, for now. I need you and mom to stay here, where you’ll be safe. I need to know that, and she needs you.” After giving his son a long embrace, and whispering in his ear, “I’ll be back,” he stood up, gave his wife another quick hug and kiss, did his best to give them a confident smile and wave, and reluctantly turned to go.
The father had been killed not long after that, in the bombing of a train station, as he was on his way to help others evacuate to a safer part of the country. But now, as he had promised, he was back. His family was reunited — they did see each other again. The parting, clinging hugs of heartache, wondering when they would see each other again, and what would happen in the meantime, were replaced by the warm, loving embraces of a welcoming back — forever, with no need to ever part again. The tears of anguish were replaced with tears of joy, from hearts overflowing with appreciation and contentment.
- To be continued tomorrow, with the final chapter
Chapter 1 is here.
The final Chapter (11) is here.