Love's Golden Promise

They say that the streets of Heaven are paved in gold. A magnificent sunrise steals our breath away, all tinged in golden hues. A wedding band, love's golden promise. Recently, I took a much needed rest from playing monster with twin boys and laid down on carpeted floor, begging off another round. Grandma needs to rest her achy back. Brown-haired boy laid down next to me, proceeded to play with my hair, fanning out carefully dyed strands, and I am all young again that girl who wore long pony-tails and the perfect flip. An elongated yawn and I broke the moment.
Grandma you have gold!
What are you talking about?
Open your mouth.
Oh, these are grandma's fillings that you see. My teeth needed protection.
You have gold! In your mouth! And he grinned.
Those two gold fillings I forgot, much like the Novocaine and dreaded drilling. I ponder those three words little boy uttered, they hang about my thoughts, creep into quiet time, a fluttering moth around burning light. If only I could see the gold inside, witness the glistening color, how beautiful it shines under bands of light. And I wonder at the overflowing joy grandson spoke into my heart, how believing in the gold, the steadfast truth of our human goodness and we all have shimmering gold inside. A miracle it is, this beauty that outshines all that looming darkness, the recriminations, faults and habits that stay strung on same clothesline. Through frozen winter. I cling to those three words, a blazing- orange life preserver vest clipped to shaky frame while taking those faltering steps, out onto the water, an anthem for the soul.
A few days ago, blond-haired boy made an amazing discovery.
Grandma you have gold!
I know and so do you. I breathed happy.
I don't have any gold like you.
Yes, you do. And it is very beautiful.
Maybe the miracle, it's not so much about discovering beauty within, but the courage it takes to share it. To spread all that grace, winging it to those He places along your path. To little boys who speak innocence, to a world that desperately needs to hear the truth. Joy, unspeakable joy.

I wish you all the joy that you can wish.

~William Shakespeare~