by DJTJR

Created on: November 25, 2008   Last Updated: April 29, 2009

"No matter how much you pray, your brother is just going to burn in hell." That is what Father Swanson told little April as she knelt and prayed at the alter. She had grown used to the old preacher's harsh words and they no longer brought on the fits of tears they used too. Little April was just 11 years old and yet Father Swanson harshness with her would not deter her from rescuing her older brother.

It was two years ago that it had all happened. Father Swanson was the man in charge of helping Robert, April's older brother, and perhaps that is why he remained so bitter long after Robert's suicide. Father Swanson still remembered Robert as a young boy about April's age, so full of life and happiness. He had watched as the boy he had loved like his own son fell rapidly into drugs, and then depression.

When at sixteen Robert was put into Father Swanson's therapy at the church, he still had faith that Robert could be saved, and for awhile it seemed he could. Unfortunately two months later Robert was found in his room, bled to death from self inflicted wounds. Father Swanson was devastated and when Robert's younger sister came to pray he couldn't help but feel the slightest bit of guilt at what he saw as his own failure.

Today though, Father Swanson noticed the little girl's fierce determination whilst she prayed. Little April's whole body seemed to almost tremble, and she seemed to almost radiate warmth. When he shouted the normal damnation of her brother she only prayed harder still.

April was beginning to sob as she prayed. Father Swanson had never seen someone so moved by prayer. He knelt beside the little girl, now regretting his harsh words.

"Don't cry little girl, I am only a humble messenger of God, not even I know what he has in store for us all." The Father spoke gently, but to his surprise he realised that April was smiling.

"Father, I am not sad, my brother is going to be an angel and help God to watch over me." She said, nearly bouncing for joy as she did. " Look and see for your self" Little April pointed up at the stained glass windows, and as the Father followed her finger, he saw for one brief moment, an angel of golden wings drifting as if lighter then air. It waved and flew away into light. Father Swanson could have sworn Robert had mouthed thank you before going, and he fell backward eyes filling to the brim and soon spilling over with tears of wonderment and joy.

"God Bless you little April, I believe your brother will be an angel after all."

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