"I was sad today, Father." I told him matter-of-factly.
"Why?" He responded curiously.
"I said goodbye to something I deeply enjoyed for many years." I returned.
"Was the joy it gave you erased?" He replied.
"No. No, it will never be erased in my memory. I will always cherish those memories fondly." I answered.
"Then why were you sad?" He asked again.
"Because I won't be spending anymore time with it in the future. Those memory making times are over and ended." I explained.
"Will there be nothing else in your life to make good memories?" He prodded farther.
"Oh, of course, not! I have many things that give me good memories to keep." I retorted.
"Then I don't understand." He flatly stated. "Do you remember the time when you were being rejected and abused by people who should have loved and protected you?" He pushed farther.
"Yes. I do remember that. It was so wonderful to have my special treasure to enjoy after their abuse. It would pick me up and make me feel good again." I mused.
"I knew that. That's why I sent it to you and gave it to your hands. I knew the effect it would have on you. You didn't even want it in the beginning as I recall." He reminded me.
"OH! You are right. I didn't think it was the sort of thing that I would enjoy. As it turned out, it really was such a very special treasure." I remembered.
"You don't need it anymore. Those days and those people are gone. You are in a much better place in your life. You have moved into a new era." He pointed out.
"Wow!" I studied my current lifestyle in my mind and realized how accurate He was. "I never thought of it that way."
"I have new things to give you. They are new treasures that will also give you joy. It is different. It isn't the same. The past must go into the past before the future can step forward. Like a river constantly flowing ever forward. You must move forward. Don't hold on to the past. It had it's time and it's season. It's time now for the future. Look forward." He softly encouraged.
I lingered on His last words and held them close to my heart. A few tears leaked down my cheeks as I released my treasure. It was OK now. It was still a treasure and always would be.
"I love you so much, Father. Thank you for being here with me; for not condemning me; and for helping me make this transition. You know me so well. I love you so much." my heart swelled with the fullness of this Love.
"I love you too. I said I'd never leave you. I won't. Ever." He promised - again.
