last week i sat upstairs at church. something about the message at the end of the service made me think of Poppy. i think the person was talking about salvation. or redemption. something that made me think of Heaven and Poppy in Heaven. i got lost in my own thoughts during the announcements and as everyone else bowed for prayer, i just stared off into space, thinking about how much i miss him.

and then i noticed a black balloon floating along the ceiling.

the balloon dipped down.
the string tickled the air just above people's heads.
the balloon bounced and the string danced.
i held my breath, waiting to see if the string would make contact or where the balloon would land.
i barely held in my laughter.
it moved along the air - floating, but falling at the same time.

it made its way to the front row and brushed against our pastor's arm. he lifted his head and reach out for the string and anchored the balloon with a Bible.


Maunga, i hope you hear him when he speaks to you. i hope he can still make you laugh. he always loved to make us laugh, even when (maybe) we shouldn't.