Hope and the Rainbow

(Note to reader: when the "past life" is mentioned, it is referring to game lore from the Final Fantasy XIII series. When the current life is mentioned, it is referring to my actual real life and beliefs. It's fun to tie the two together in an exploration of spiritual matters. What some believe to be myth in this world, others believe to be true. Please let me know if I am being insensitive or offensive to your beliefs. I do not want to start any flame wars.)

Hope. That word stirs such feelings in me. It's the driving force in all humans, what keeps them looking forward. To me, Hope was also a boy who I watched grow to be a man. We protected each other and helped each other realize our full potential. Our past life was full of incredible discoveries about how strong we all truly are when when we hold on to our Hope.

The symbol of the rainbow as described in Noah's story in the Bible is synonymous with hope. It's a promise from God that the Earth will not be flooded again in the future. It's a promise of good things to come for those who are righteous in this life.

I want to tell you about a special experience I had in this life that is both deeply personal and something I want to shout from a mountaintop. If it was a coincidence, it was a spectacular one. I'd like to think it was a miracle.

My grandfather was someone who revered the rainbow and used it as much as he could in his home and office decor. He collected rainbow children's books, photos, pins, clothing and more. He put references to the rainbow in speeches and poems he wrote in his career as an educational counselor. He inspired joy and hope in everyone who came to know him as "The Rainbow Man". He even had a sign at the family cabin that welcomed us to "The Williams Rainbow Retreat".

Sadly, he passed away from complications due to prostate cancer in November of 2011. He was positive until his dying breath. I brought a rainbow pinata to his funeral service and his blue casket was topped in a rainbow of roses. The pews were full of people from church, from BYU (no one could top him for biggest BYU sports fan. NO ONE.), from schools where he had worked, from his community. Truly a hero's sendoff. And this was just his Utah service.

He had a second service in Mesa, Arizona where he had lived and worked for many years. I was unable to attend his burial service, but was given a full report. It had been raining on and off throughout the day. My mother went, even though she had long been divorced from my father (grandpa is his father). They have always been on good terms. Mom brought with her a rainbow striped umbrella.

The burial service was held under a canopy, though the sky had begun to clear. My mother said people were slowly leaving after paying their final respects, but something told her to stay a bit longer. She felt it...there was going to be a rainbow.

And wouldn't you know it...there it formed, and not just any rainbow. The giant, brightly colored, full-arced double rainbow of lore. Noah himself would be misty eyed. It stretched all the way over the cemetery like a gateway to Heaven itself.

Grandpa must have some serious pull on the other side. The angels probably heard a request as he ran up the stairs with his arms open wide, and I can just imagine the smiles on their faces as they said, "oh, you just watch."

A Long Time Ago, On A World Called Cocoon...

Where do I even start?

My name is Claire Farron. I'm nobody, really. Not in this time and place. Not when you compare it with...before.

I wanted to create this blog because I'm feeling a little lost. Before, my purpose in life was clear as "crystal". It took time and many hardships, but eventually, I knew exactly where I was headed. Nowadays, it just feels like I have too many options. It's a bit overwhelming.

I know you won't believe me. I'm one who remembers their past life. Very few on this world can claim the same, and thus we are viewed with a fair bit of incredulity. It doesn't matter. I know what I was. A sister. A soldier. A pawn. And finally, almost a goddess.

In the space between the world I came from and this one, I told a god that he had no place with humanity and I banished him. On this new world there are still believers that claim he's out there, watching over us. Some believe he is benevolent, only bringing to us love and wisdom. Others claim he is vengeful, angry with how we've turned out yet again. I no longer have the power to see him and confront him face to face. I, like so many others, have to simply go on faith. It's something I struggle with.

That god could not see into our souls and figure out what made us so special. We were intelligences that already existed and were granted bodies and missions in life. He wanted to occupy us and force us into a perfect existence. Naturally, our souls strive for independence and the uprising was too much for him to overcome in the end. I've learned of a being called Satan, Lucifer, or "The Devil", and his story lines up with Bhunivelze's. He was "cast out of Heaven". Perhaps another being has taken his place as the true God. Maybe Bhunivelze hadn't created this world at all and took the credit.

Whatever the case, I think we can all agree on one thing: whatever is supposed to happen to us after we die will happen, and if there is indeed a Judgment, perhaps we should choose our actions more carefully in this world.

What I want for you to do for this post is to introduce yourself, name your religion if you affiliate with one, and describe three truths in your life - three things that you personally have found to be unshakable.

My name is Claire. I was raised on this world as a Mormon. I know there are those that have seen the dead after they have passed. I know that I want to be with my family after I die. I know that being good to other people gives me true satisfaction.

Your turn.