"It's so beautiful." Cindy stood in the park, cherishing the glowing brightness that surrounded her. As far as she could see there were clusters of multicolored heavenly flowers, groves of trees loaded with fruit and magnificent flowering shrubs dressed in pink and lilac blossoms. Sparkling fountains sprayed silvery streams and walks scattered in all directions. The air was soft and balmy; there was no dust. Everything was perfect and pure. The grass and flowers looked as though summer showers had freshly washed them.

"There are no dead leaves or branches here," Grandmother said. "Nothing ever decays."

"No pulling up the old dead flowers," Grandfather agreed. "Or weeds."

"No, weeds, hooray," Ricky said.

"You hated to pull weeds didn't you?" Grandmother laughed.

"I sure didn't like them," Ricky answered.

"I didn't either," Grandmother admitted.

"Something smells wonderful," Cindy said breathing the air. "What is it?"

"There are many scents, the fragrance of the trees, the flowers and even the grass has a sweet aroma," Grandfather answered her.

Golden pathways spread before them. Delighted people with bright happy faces walked over the trails.

"What's that?" David pointed at the tall skyscrapers that were towering high in the distance.

"That's the Holy City," Joyful replied.

"That one looks like a castle. I always wanted to explore a castle," Ricky said.

"You will have plenty of time to explore the city," Happy Angel told Ricky. "We never run out of time here."

"Look at the beautiful sunset," Cindy cried. "There are reds, and oranges. It lights up the whole sky."

"It's not a sunset, Cindy," Joyful explained. "We have no sun-- what you see is the light of Jesus. He is our sun."

"I would like to know more about Him," Cindy said longingly.

"You will have a chance to learn more," Joyful said. "And we will learn more about you too."

"Me?" Cindy asked in surprise.

"Yes, and all of the others," Joyful said.

"Why?" Ricky asked their guide.

"Because you are very special," Happy added.

"We're special?" Cindy asked in amazement. She had never thought of herself as being unique.

"Yes, you are," Joyful said as they walked through the beautiful jewel colored land. "Humans are exceptional. Although we have seen you since you were born we have never had a chance to talk to you and discover what makes you so extraordinary. Jesus went to earth and died for you."

"Yes," Grandmother agreed. "It's a mystery to me. I don't know why He loved us that much."

They came to a cluster of trees growing beside a river. The waters of the river were clear and sparkling with light.

"What a dazzling and strange river," Cindy said as she stood on the bank watching. There were many colored pebbles and flowers bloomed in the waters.

David stopped to look at the calm, blue waters. "It makes me want to jump in."

"It doesn't look like our rivers at home," Grandma said. "We didn't want to swim in those rivers."

"Would you like to go swimming?" Joyful asked.

"Sure," David said.

"Go ahead, you'll enjoy it." Joyful waved his hand at the stream. Ricky and David jumped into the river.

"Be careful," Cindy cautioned, "Don't go out too deep, you'll drown."

"No one drowns here, Cindy," The angels said.

"Wait for me." Grandfather jumped in and started splashing the two giggling boys.

"I'd like to swim, but I'd ruin my dress." Cindy looked at the soft silvery dress she wore.

"You won't hurt it," Joyful said.

"I won't? It's such beautiful material." Cindy smoothed her dress.

"Is the water cold?" Cindy called to her brothers.

"No," Ricky called. "It's just right."

"Come on in." David climbed out of the river and dove in.

Walking slowly down the sandy beach Cindy put her foot into the water. It was warm.

"Come on," David shouted. "Don't be afraid." He pulled Cindy into the water.

"Oh," Cindy cried. "It feels wonderful."

The angels sat on the grassy slope beside the river and studied the humans as they swam.

"Look at me." Ricky was under the water, but he was talking. He came up to the top.

"I can breath under water," he said. "This is neat. Try it, Cindy."

"I don't like to put my head under water," Cindy said. "It gets in my nose and it makes my eyes hurt."

Ricky swum up to her and pushed her head under the water. Cindy shut her eyes, then opened them quickly. To her surprise the water didn't burn her eyes, she could see.

"Look, over here," Ricky called. He was still underwater. "See the rocks and flowers."

"Oh, the flowers are growing in the water." Cindy knelt down. The rocks shimmered next to rainbow colored flowers in the glowing light.

They soon discovered that they could walk on the surface of the clear water. When they stopped, instead of being tired Cindy felt new and strong. Cindy was surprised to see that she was dry as she came out of the water. Her dress was soft and light and shone with a luster. It fell in soft graceful folds. The water seemed to make it shine more.

"I usually get so tired after swimming," she told her grandmother as they rested on the grass and looked around at the crowds of people enjoying themselves. "But today I feel better."

"I feel younger and energetic," Grandma said.

Joyful watched the humans. "The water has washed away the last of the earth life from you. It is fitting you for the new life that you have entered."

"Look at the angels," Cindy cried. "They're doing tricks in the air."

"We are all happy," Joyful said. "This is a time for which we have waited and longed."

"I wish I could fly like that." Ricky watched the angels as they gracefully whirled through the air overhead.

"You can," Joyful laughed. "You can do anything you want here."

"We've been flying, but not like that. I don't have any wings." Ricky looked at his shoulders. "Will I get some?"

"You don't need wings," the angel said. "Just try it."

"Come on boys," Cindy was getting braver now. "Let's try to fly like the angels." She flew into the air as the boys followed her.

"I feel like a bird," David cried.

"It feels good to be reunited with my body again," Grandmother said. "And the nice thing is that it's so much better than the one I had on earth."

"I never knew Heaven would be so wonderful." Ricky made a sharp spectacular landing.

"Look," cried Cindy. "Look at all the animals."

"This must be the zoo," said David.

"Well, there are a lot of animals here, but none in cages," said Joyful. "They like to come here to mingle with the children and enjoy them. They could never do that on earth."

Birds with feathers of multicolored reds, purples, greens and yellows were flying in patterns and singing happily. A girl was riding a reindeer and petting a raccoon. Another girl was stroking a seal in a pool.

"Look, look," cried David as a small black dog came running toward him. "Look at that dog, he looks just like Shadow."

"I believe it is Shadow," his Grandpa said.

"I didn't know our dogs would be in Heaven." David knelt down to catch the black dog in his arms and snuggle his head in the clean, furry coat.

"There are many surprises here," Joyful Angel answered.

"But, Shadow was --" David looked at his grandparents. He was puzzled. "He was run over and killed. And he was so old he could hardly walk. Now he is young, like you. I don't understand how that could happen."

"There is no old age in Heaven," Grandma said.

The dog licked his face gently and barked at him. To his amazement David could understand what the dog said. "He is welcoming us and telling us how much he missed us." He buried his head in the soft fur. "I didn't know dogs could talk."

"We could always talk," Shadow barked. "But you didn't understand us. Now you can understand what we say."

"Oh, yes." When David put him down Shadow ran around his feet.

"What about my cat?" Cindy asked.

"Your cat is at home," Grandma Kahn laughed. "He's resting after his long trip."

"You mean Fuzzy came too?" David asked in amazement.

"Of course," Happy Angel said. "Heaven has many animals, and the Savior knows just what makes you happy. He gave you dominion of the animals on earth."

"Since Adam sinned they had to suffer too," Joyful Angel explained. "The animals were anxiously awaiting the relief that God promised."

"Look." Ricky pointed at a crowd of children who surrounded a big Lion. They climbed on his back and used it for a slide, sliding laughing and giggling down his side.

"Won't he hurt them?" Cindy asked.

"No," Happy said, "Animals aren't wild here." The Lion ran around playfully.

"He looks just like a merry-go-round horse," David laughed.

"Can I pet him?" Cindy loved cats of all kind. "I love Lions, and I've always wanted to pet one."

"It might be arranged." The angel smiled.

Suddenly the Lion ran to Cindy, as if it could read her mind. She put her hand out to stroke his soft yellow mane and he purred loudly as he cuddled closer to her.

"I think he understood what I said," Cindy said in amazement as she leaned her head against the soft body.

"I'm sure he did," Grandmother said.

"You've been here longer than us, Grandma. Tell me about Jesus." Cindy said. "I heard some kids talk about Him, but I don't know much."

"Because of Him we are here," Grandma said. "Your Grandpa and I accepted Him right before we were killed."

"How?" Cindy asked.

"The policeman who was at the accident told us about Him," Dan Kahn answered.

"Oh, Grandma, oh Grandpa," Cindy cried. "I met that policeman. And to think because of him you're here."

"I'm so glad we've found you." David hugged his grandfather.

"What is that wonderful music?" asked Cindy.

"It's the angel chorus," her grandmother answered. "Now, let's go home."

The heavenly family walked happily down the path singing and waving to friends and loved ones.