A collection of uplifting stories where the recently departed spend eternity in the destination of their choice. The Carriage Driver guides the deceased to an ideal future where artists get to paint, compose, sing with the greats. Dancers find new steady legs and music. It's Heaven that we would hope to find.
Have you ever wondered what Heaven would be like? This collection offers glimpses into the realm of possibilities. If presented with an eternal hereafter, the reader must only choose their destination in which to live out their dreams.
These stories are about people who've demonstrated a spirit of love and caring during their lives. For these folks who've crossed over, a better place awaits that matches their talents, interests and desires. For those that promote evil and nefarious deeds, there also awaits a destiny. That is, if you believe The Promise.
This book is the third in a series of short stories about the afterlife by Fiction Award-winning author Michael Friedman. In the Carriage Driver3, the author continues to share glimpses into what might await us in our next life among the stars.
These stories tend to reassure readers about the fate of loved ones who've journeyed to the other side. This collection of stories is delightful and poignant, told by a master at telling tales.
What Happens to Our Pets?
The book opens with a story about a man and his six-year-old Labrador Retriever, who, after losing her master, makes a new acquaintance and finds a new life here on Earth. For pet lovers that wonder what will happen to our pets should we depart first, it gives a sense of peace that all will be well with the beloved creatures we leave behind.
Those guided by the carriage driver and his noble stead will make the journey safely and in good company.
Through these stories we meet Nichole, Ann, Magruder, Betty Lou, John, Annie, Paula; professors, farmers, hippies, pilots and soldiers, children, mothers, brothers and blue-bellied warriors. Some have seen nearly a century of life, balancing their toils with joys, dancing their way across the years while others are plucked early from life by the ruthless, murderous spawn of Satan.
The characters are from Texas, Florida, New Concord, Pakistan, north, south, east and west. They've explored the Euphrates and the deserts. They represent people from every walk of life. Each story has a character with which we can feel a bond, a familiarity and presence of someone we knew or held close.
In one story, the reader meets a character quick with a practiced smile and devilish blue eyes whose penchant and passion included illegitimate schemes for making money. It seems every family has one of these characters that operate the "small cons, even on members of his family."
This particular stocky man, fond of wearing black and tons of gold jewelry, thinks he is in charge of the destiny of others even in the afterlife.
"There would be hell to pay," and his self-assured promises were put to the test when Dottie’s name appeared in “the book.”
A Woman Like Me
Anyone familiar with Goth or Emo will recognize Lisa whose wardrobe consists of a black leather jacket with silver studs, heavy black boots and layers of mask applied over many years. She wears layers of darkness to distance herself and to pull “the cloak of fear” about her.
After she manages to escape on Nuelle the horse, she's comforted by the oracles that take her under their wings. Later, at Elysian fields, they render aid along with a heavy dose of much-needed healing.
Louise
The story of Louise tugs hard on my heart strings as it reminds me of my mother's sister, my maiden aunt whose life was one of gentle simplicity, kindness and charitable actions. In the story, Louise transcends a life where her mobility has been restricted by age. After a life of active sports, dancing and grace, she's confined to a wheelchair. Her vision's been taken away by age-related Macular Degeneration, and at the age of ninety-seven, she's removed from even the simple pleasures of reading, playing bingo or watching her favorite game shows on TV.
Her transition to the afterlife includes a brand new pair of emerald green dancing shoes fit for a ballroom. Like Cinderella, she's transformed from her former diminished self into a new and enchanting world of music and song awaking in a great hall filled with handsome and willing dance partners where they twirl merrily under a galaxy of glittering stars.
The Legend
This story highlights a young musical singer and performer, Chuck Berry, who drew hordes of youth out on the dance floor bopping to his tunes. He brought generations of teenagers together.
Every day in the news we hear of the death of one of our childhood stars or musical heroes. From Elvis, his daughter Priscilla, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, and Tom Petty, the stars are falling from the sky like raindrops.
In this fictional story, when Chuck Berry's time came to take the ride to the stage in the sky he reminisced with the driver about meeting Elvis, and how the influence of the Beatles, Marvin Gaye and Otis changed the world.
Captain Griffin Chaffey and his trusty steed, Nuelle, travel the skies, transporting dearly departed souls to the destination of their wishes, sharing an apple and small talk while we eavesdrop into their journeys, gleaning a fragment of hope and solace in our hours of need.
For me, this book was a great comfort when loved ones passed away, something that as we grow older, seems to happen with regularity. With this sobering realization comes the importance of making the most out of life and poses the question, "Who goes to Heaven and why?"
It's a book that offers comfort and hope, a book to be shared and treasured. It's a book that explores “our deepest desires for an afterlife free from the stress and the constraints of our earthly bonds.”
I highly recommend keeping a copy of this book on the nightstand to read during sleepless nights.
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