A MESSAGE FROM HEAVEN

By Ilija Šaula

(This is the story of a pet rabbit who surprised her family with an untimely departure. She left for the eternal fields of carrots, flowers, and butterflies. Still, through the author's imagination, she managed to send a message back, easing the pain and sorrow of those she left behind—especially little Aki, who loved and cared for her deeply.)

"Hi, everyone! Hi, Aki, Tiki, Boki, and Zen.

I've arrived, and the very first thing I wanted to do was send you a message. I know that after I left, your love for me reached its highest point, and for that I am deeply grateful.

I arrived in heaven much sooner than anyone expected. Everything happened so quickly, carried along by a will stronger than my own. We rabbits have our own heavenly guardians, and I never imagined they took such good care of us. Even here, I'm still Luna—that's what they called me when I arrived.

At first, I was amazed by how different everything is here. Yet the feeling is wonderful, although I'm not entirely sure why.

As soon as I arrived, I was invited to introduce myself and get acquainted with this new place. Here, I know I'm a rabbit, but it doesn't really matter whether I'm female or male, just as it never mattered while I was with you. This world, this space, and this time are felt rather than experienced physically, unlike my unforgettable cage and the beautiful yard that you fenced in, largely because of me. Thank you for that.

I can never forget Aki and Tiki, or their room where I felt the freest, soaring on the wings of their love. I also cherish memories of hiding under the bed and sofa and wandering beneath those chairs and tables that had four legs just like me but never once joined me for a game of bunny hop. I don't think I'll ever understand that.

I thought I would have to tell everyone here about my life with you so they would know where I came from and how happy I was. But imagine this—everyone already knows. I didn't have to explain anything.

That also answered my curiosity about how I arrived in heaven so quickly. My life with you was beautiful, and the greatest credit belongs to my dear Aki, who shared her love with me so generously. Her gentle hands were where my soul found rest, and her love helped earn me the grace that brought me to this heavenly place.

Tiki's smile became the path my soul followed when the angels came for me. I couldn't resist them. They were kind, joyful, and full of warmth. They never had to convince me they were leading me the right way. The same warmth I found in those angels lived in Tiki's smile, and that's why I will never stop loving her, just as I will never stop loving Aki.

Boki could be strict with me at times. Not everything I did met with her approval. But alongside Aki and Tiki, I always felt she was my mom too. Moms can be strict, but later I realized it was all for my own good. Once I understood that, Boki became one of my best friends. She started letting me go wherever I wanted, and I tried my best not to get into trouble. With Boki's help, I built confidence, and my soul grew strong enough to be ready for this journey to paradise.

My soul would not have been nearly as joyful had I never met Zen. Some of my happiest moments were when he smiled at me and said, "Come on, Luna, stop being silly!" Through Zen, I learned that truly good people exist, and that belief helped me find peace here in heaven.

I have come to believe that anyone who cares for you sends their love endlessly toward something divine, opening a path that eventually leads us here. So if I had never had all of you, I might never have arrived in this place. Who knows where I would have ended up?

And Aki, I want all of you to know that I have not abandoned you. The angels who came for me simply do what they are meant to do. That's how things work. We rabbits have our own rules. Sometimes I wanted to share them with you, but there was always a barrier between our languages. Even so, I believe you understood more than I could ever say.

I still intend to live in your hearts. I will be there in your stories, your smiles, your jokes, your memories, and your treasured moments. Whenever the moon shines brightly, I will think of you and imagine myself playing in the yard and in my unforgettable cage—the finest little home I ever had.

So this is my message to comfort you and to honor the great love we shared.

Thank you for every tear you shed for me. Those tears helped me arrive here shining like a pearl—pure, bright, and uplifted. But now I need only your smiles, because they guide me forward into this new life.

Who knows? If I return someday, perhaps I truly will be Luna again.

You are wonderful. You gave me shelter that reaches beyond eternity.

Oh, and before I forget, please give my love to Anđela. Kiss her for me. I was always so happy whenever I saw her.

With all my love,

Your Luna"