The Zen of Ben

March 1, 2015

Today's Wake-Up visitor is George. It took a long time to get him to talk to me. He thought he was being punished in the Gray Space. When I told him he could leave any time as soon as he let go of whatever he was clinging to from his earthly life he clammed up. Scribbled little pictures but wouldn't talk. Finally I got him to tell me that he didn't want anyone to steal his clownface. He was a clown and his face was registered but he was afraid his exclusive claim would run out when he died. Or that no one would enforce it. I called Ben and when Ben introduced himself George said, "I am the Best Deaf and Dumb Clown." Then he said, "I have the best face and everybody knows me. I am The Deaf and Dumb clown. I don't want some hearing guy stealing my face and using it to make fun of deaf people."  Ben asked him what he intended to do and he said he would stay and watch and haunt anyone who tried to steal his face. Ben said that he didn't think George wanted to contribute to the fear a lot of people already feel about clowns. George said he didn't want someone using his face to be a scary clown. Ben said it was a sweet face and it was obvious why children loved him. He said he didn't think anyone would wear that face who didn't want to be loved as much as George was. Finally Ben said he would take George to the TSP and they could look around and find some promising clowns and George could choose one to be his successor. Then they would arrange for the young clown to meet George's wife and they would tell her that he is the one and she would give him George's trunk and permission to use George's face and take care of whatever legalities might be involved. George said he wanted his successor to be deaf. Ben said they could start their search at Gallaudet College. And George said there are a lot of clowns at Gallaudet, most of them professors.

 Louise
Wake-up Pages Oct. 11, 2015  

 Our Wake-up visitor today is Louise. It took me all day to get her story. I kept getting interrupted.
Me: Louise?
L: I'm here.
M: Sorry it took me so long to get back to you.
L: It's all right. I don't have to scratch my butt or nothing. 
M: Eh?
L It's all right cause I can't feel how long nothing takes and I'm not uncomfortable or hurting or itching or hungry or thirsty or in a hurry to go no place.
M: Oh good. Now what can I do for you?
L: I want help with my grandsons.
M: Are they dead?
L: No and I don't want them to be. But they sure are riding hard for a fall. 
M: But you're dead? 
L: I am. I'm an old woman. Probably should have died a long time ago. 
M: But? 
L: Well, I had to take care of my boys. My grandsons. Weren't nobody else going to do it. 
M: Their parents? 
L: Both dead. All dead-- steps, live-ins and all. I gotta be there for my grandsons. They ain't got nobody but me to keep telling them right from wrong and smart from stupid.
M: I'll get Ben to talk to you.
B: Hello Louise, I'm Ben.
L: Proud to know you.
B: Likewise. You've been a good grandmother. Worked hard for those boys.
L: Lord knows that's right.
B: You've earned a good long rest. 
L: Can't leave my boys. 
B: It's too late; you died.
L: Guess I can't help them from here. Can I?
B: No. but you can if you move on to the TSP.
L: You mean Heaven? I don't feel right going to heaven when there is work left to do. 
B: When you go to the Timeless Spaceless place, which includes Heaven, you'll be able to watch over your grandsons and help them make right choices and warn them of danger. 
L: Sounds like being a grandma.
B: Exactly. They won't see you usually. But you can make your presence known and you can recruit others to help you. 
L: What others?
B: #Ancestors, angels, saints. All kinds of help. 
L: That sounds mighty fine. I was going to ask if I could go back, but tell you the truth, I'm just too tired. 
B: Let me take you home. You can have a nice long rest, enjoy some of the things you never had time for and then check in on the boys from over there. 
L: I guess I can't say no. I know I won't win if I do. You're sure somebody will be there to help my boys. 
B: Look up there. Toward the light.
L: My oh my. That's everyone I ever knew or ever wanted to know. 
B: Waiting to welcome you. 
L: Lordy I can't hardly wait. I wish I could run to meet them. OH! I am running to meet them. 
B: Bye Louise.
L: Thank you Ben.