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Sometimes life takes us places we never expected to go. And in those places God writes a story we never thought would be ours. (Renee Swoope)

Suicide leaves you dangling with no closure. No final conversation. No final hug. Consequently, it leaves raw places in your mind that continue to bleed. I kept telling the Lord, "If only I could have one last conversation, one last hug .... " One night I got my wish!

I was there! And yes it was beautiful! There was rugged untamed mountain beauty right next to cultivated gardens and well-designed buildings. People and families were happily exploring both. I looked up at the face of a sheer cliff perhaps 150 yards away and saw (gulp!) Luanna free-climbing (i.e. without a safety rope) an Olympic-class route! But I promptly remembered that no one ever gets hurt or injured in this place.

Luanna noticed me and "poof!" she was right there beside me. That's how it's done here. You can walk or "poof" at will, just as Jesus demonstrated in His resurrection body. Luanna was wearing sports sandals, shorts, and a short-sleeved blouse. She was definitely a "plus-up," Luanna version 2.0! But at the same time she was still the same Luanna I loved and knew. The first thing we did was HUG! How that satisfied my soul! Then we talked and talked just like old times, full of lively interest and good-natured banter. When we were finally all "talked out", we quietly enjoyed each other's company for a moment. Then Luanna said, "Our time is up. You have to go now." We hugged and said good-bye. It was a cheerful good-bye, as in "See you tomorrow!"

Bang! I woke up in bed with my heart pounding wildly! But I assure you that it wasn't just a dream! Ever since that time I no longer ache for one last hug, one last conversation, because I've had them! I'm satisfied! I've seen how happy and fulfilled my daughter is!