Fields of Gold

When I was ten years old, I saw a glimpse of heaven on Earth.

It was a cold morning in Northern Germany. My best friend and her two siblings were joining me at the entrance of the forest where we had decided to start our run in preparation for the Youth Half-Marathon taking place in two weeks. The forest was dark but I could see the sun starting to rise and its rays reaching through the trees like ribbons of gold, illuminating the trail we were set to run.

Once my friends arrived, we made our way deep into the forest. The terrain was uneven but I could see the leaves flutter as I ran each meter with increasing speed. The sun kept reaching through the forest, making those same fluttering leaves look like glitter on the ground – their hues ever-changing from yellow to deep red. The fog began to rise and the fragrant aromas of the trees filled the air.

It was not until an hour into the run that I saw it. My eyes had to adjust to the brightness of light that came up ahead. From behind the trees I could see a sea of yellow pigments scattered across a field. The dark and eerie nature of the forest had ended and out of nowhere, came an expanse of yellow tulips that went on for miles. The four of us stood there in complete wonder as we marveled at God’s creation.

I was young but I knew that it was a rare sight to see such beauty and enchantment before my eyes. As I made my way through the bed of tulips, I could feel the warmth of the sun hug me like the arms of God’s embrace and I could feel in my soul a bliss that can only be described as celestial. I walked that day on what felt like fields of gold. The cold winds of that chilly morning had subsided and the laughter and joy of my friends and I could loudly be heard.

As the years have passed, I always think back at that little slice of what I believe heaven’s entrance must look like. Life, as I have to come to learn, is much like the forest and the field of tulips. I may tread through dark paths and the trail to reach my final goal may seem long and treacherous at times. But I never fret nor lose faith. I believe that there is always a blessing waiting to embrace and greet me at the end of that tumultuous path. This is why I live my life with unconditional faith and patience. No matter what darkness I may go through, I know the light will always be there to meet me at the end.