As my eyes gazed up along the winding sullen path, I saw a stairway made of rock, climbing high into the mountain tops. It wound it's way in and out through the nooks, and through the jagged stone walls. I could not see the top, as it was high up into the clouds. A figure cloaked in a black cape, was descending cautiously, as to not slip on the damp mossy surface of the cold hard stones, placed there by someone as steps, what must have been centuries ago . Under the cape, I saw the shape of an extremely large man. As the figure got closer, I saw clearly, the deep burned scars etched in his face. He seemed to me, to be thousands of years old. I was frightened, but stayed my ground until he reached the spot where I stood. Greetings I said, a bit uneasy. He lifted his hand slowly and stretched it toward me. Greetings said the man, and we shook hands. I looked deep into his hardened eyes. I know this man I thought to myself. I have seen him somewhere before. He began to speak; I have waited many years for this moment he said to me, I have waited for you, since you were just a boy. My tired old eyes filled with tears. I couldn't believe what was happening. It was my grandfather. But it couldn't be, he had died when I was seven. Welcome, he said to me. He took my hand, and together we climbed the rocky stairway upward. As we neared the cloud's, I became frightened. I looked at him and asked, where are you taking me. Be still he said, we have a long journey ahead of us. Once we entered the cloud cover, I might as well have been blind. I could see nothing at all. His hand tightened on mine, and we continued upward. Where are we going, I asked? He was quiet. Here I was a grown man, 78 years old, being led by my dead grandfather, to God knows where. I don't understand, I said, you died when I was a child. I saw you in the casket. How is this possible? He stopped walking and turned to look at me. Yes he replied, I remember you staring at me crying. My parents and Grandma were killed in a car accident on the way home from the hospital when I was born. I survived the wreck. My Grandpa took care of me and raised me. We did everything together. He taught me everything. From eating, walking, and talking, to fishing and working in our gardens. We trapped animals for food too. Many times I remember helping him setting and emptying our traps. I was always at his side. I loved him. He was my mom and dad. He was my best friend. And then one day it happened. I had just entered the second grade. I enjoyed school, but I enjoyed being with Grandpa even more. Every day, Gramps would walk me to and from. We would always talk about our plans for life. All the things we were going to do together. But this one day, when I came out of the schoolhouse, my Grandpa was not there to meet me. I walked the road home all alone. I remember being sad that he forgot me. It was the worst feeling I ever had. When I got to our home, I found my Grandpa asleep on the floor. He wouldn't wake up. I cried, WAKE UP Grandpa, WAKE UP. He didn't move. I walked about a mile to the neighbors house, and told them what happened. Grandpa and I would celebrate the holidays with them. They were a nice older couple, who had no family either. They put me in their car, and we drove back to Grandpa. The Doctor said that Grampa's heart had given out. He had a heart attack. I did not understand any of it. All I knew, is I wanted my pop pop back. At the funeral, I just stood at the coffin staring at my pop pop, crying my eyes out. I was miserable. When we planted him into the ground, I thought maybe he would grow, like the seeds we planted in the garden together. He didn't. The old couple wanted to take me in, but the state people said they were to old. So I was put in a foster home with people I never saw before. They were alright I guess, but they were not my grandfather. How do you remember me crying I asked? You were dead. Well my boy, he said, life didn't end when I died. It simply changed to another dimension of life. My spirit, like all the rest, is alive and at total peace. We cannot touch or interfere with our previous lives, but we are still here observing. I watched you grow up. I remember just how bad you felt, on the long walk home from school, all alone, the day I died. I swore I would never let you feel that way again. So here I am. I have come to walk you, on your journey home. I don't understand I said. Just then we walked above the cloud cover. The sky was brighter than ever, and bluer than ever before. There were people all over the place. We came to a group of people standing together. They were looking right at me smiling. I, said my grandpa, would like to introduce you to your grandma, your mom, and dad. My head, heart, and soul, exploded with such a profound love. One I had only felt glimpses of while alive. My eyes no longer had the sight. I just saw. I could see and feel those I left behind, and those who left before me. I felt total peace. It was good. Everything was ok. No matter what had happened in life, or was happening now, it is all ok. May you all find the peace and love that I have found, on your, stairway to heaven. <3