Part 9
Kevin sat in his office after getting the children to bed. He was sipping a glass of bourbon as he stared at Tyler's picture on the corner of his desk. The day with Taylor had him questioning his faith…and his love for Tyler. If he loved her enough, why couldn't he see her? Why couldn't he feel her or hear her voice?
There was a gentle knock at the door before Mrs. Richardson opened the door. "Son, Reverend Thomas is here to see you."
Kevin looked at his watch first, then stood to move into the room seeing his childhood minister behind his mother. "Come on in, Reverend," said Kevin. He moved to shake the older man's hand. "Kinda late to be visiting, isn't it?"
"It is but…something told me I needed to see you.""Can I fix you a drink?"
"No thank you, Kevin."
Kevin motioned to a chair and sat in the chair opposite him.
"How are you doing, Kevin?"
Kevin let out a sigh. "I'm still kinda numb…like it's all a nightmare that I can't wake up from. Today was a little better though."
"What made it better?"
"Spending time with Taylor."
The reverend smiled. "She's a carbon copy of Tyler."
"Yeah, she is, in every way,"chuckled Kevin. "She's only three but she has Tyler's ability to know exactly what to say to cheer me up."
"So, what did she say to help?"
Kevin shook his head. "I told Brian, Howie, Alex, and Nick this afternoon. Alex and Nick think I'm losing my mind and Brian tried to explain it away. Only Howie understood what I was saying. It's got me questioning a couple things though."
"Let's start with what Taylor said. Then we'll talk about why you're questioning yourself," prompted Reverend Thomas.
Kevin took a sip of his drink, then said, "Taylor said she sees Tyler at night…Tyler comes to her and rubs her back and sings to her. I didn't think much of it until she started singing the song that she said Tyler was singing to her. Taylor hasn't ever heard the song…it's one that I used to sing to Tyler when she was upset or angry. Then, and this is where I'm questioning myself ... .Taylor said she saw Tyler and my dad dancing in the chapel."
"Ahh, the innocent faith of a child. Is that one of the things you're questioning yourself about…your faith?"
"Reverend Thomas, I believe in God and heaven but I question my love for Tyler. If I have faith and I love Tyler as much as I profess to…why can't I see her…the way Taylor does?"
"First of all, do NOT question your love for Tyler. It's present in your eyes and your face every time you say her name, even now. You wouldn't be grieving if you didn't love her. You had a lifetime all planned out with Tyler and it was ripped away from you. Sometimes as adults, we don't see the miracles that are right in front of us. Tyler is all around you, Kevin. She's in this house; she's in your heart and soul; she's in your children; she's in every aspect of your life. A child doesn't miss miracles. Taylor has the faith to believe that her mother is visiting her."
"Howie says Tyler could see her parents even after all these years since their death." Kevin stopped, wiped a stray tear, sipped his drink, and asked, "How do I strengthen my belief in miracles…to see Tyler the way Taylor sees her?"
"I don't know, Kevin. That's something only you can answer. Talk to God, ask for His help."
"I did today, when Taylor said she saw Tyler dancing with my father at the chapel."
"But did you truly believe…or were you chalking it up to a child's imagination?"
Kevin thought about it and he shrugged his shoulders. "I guess I did chalk it up to her imagination…but I can't explain her singing a song she's never heard."
"Then take your time and talk to God. He will hear you but remember, sometimes, the unanswered prayers are as much of a blessing as the answered ones." The reverend reached into his jacket and pulled out an envelope. "This may help you," and he handed it to Kevin.
Kevin took it, looked at the front to see 'To my forever best friend' in Tyler's handwriting.
"Tyler gave this to me on your wedding day and made me promise to give it to you if anything ever happened to her. I never imagined I'd have to give it to you. Read it when you're ready."
"Thank you…for everything."
"Kevin, I'm just a phone call away…any time you need me."
The two men stood and Kevin set the letter on his desk to save for later before moving to give the older man a hug. Then he walked the reverend to the front door.
