It was a mournful day for the family. Philip, who was 83 years old at that time, got a deadly case of stroke. He had been in the hospital for nearly three months, his body fighting for life, but he was defeated. On his last day, he was visited by his twin siblings, five children and twelve grandchildren. His wife had died of a heart attack three years ago, and then it was his turn to leave.

His relatives gathered around the hospital bed, tearfully watching him breathe his last breaths. The time was nearing. On one side, he saw angels, and on the other side, he saw demons. Both sides were very interested in his soul, but only one side would claim him. Then, he saw something else. He saw the same blinding light that shone from heaven, his relatives and the angels waiting for him. In the center, he saw the man, his Protector, his father. Philip gasped when he saw this and cleaned his fingernails, knowing that he should be clean when entering heaven.

"What do you see?" asked one of his grandchildren.

"I see, them. My Protector," Philip replied in his weak voice. Philip then saw everyone, including his father, reaching out their hands to him. Philip raised his arms, hoping to touch them and be carried off by them. He breathed his last breath and his soul left his body as they sobbed uncontrollably.

Philip's soul was carried to the gate of heaven, where he confessed all his deeds to St Peter. Afterward, the gates of heaven opened up and he was welcomed into paradise. He met his wife, relatives, friends, acquaintances, saints and everyone else who was in heaven. It was a reunion.

Three days later, his father beckoned to him. Philip walked to him and his father said,

"Look at the world. What do you see?"

"I see good things, bad things, things that are neither. Why?"

"Soon, all of this will be gone. Judgment Day is nearing. The good will be rewarded, the bad will be punished. Soon, we will all be reunited."

The father and son watched the earth from heaven and witnessed a funeral; Philip's funeral. He could see them weeping and wailing as his body was lowered. But at the same time, he saw miracles. One of his children was with his wife at the hospital, waiting for his firstborn child.

"Come nearer," said Philip's father, "and be at my side."

THE END