“I imagine a person’s life is like a beautifully decorated balloon, tethered by a 

cord to the earth.  It is buffeted by every breeze and strains at the restraint with 

sometimes-harsh movements.  Suddenly, a moment comes when the cord is 

released and the balloon lifts!  No longer fighting the wind: it is lifted high upon it, 

graceful and dancing with heavenly movements.  From an earthly point of view it 

becomes smaller and smaller until it fades from sight.  I fell my loss until I 

remember that the balloon itself is not becoming smaller as it lifts, but larger and 

larger until at some point it bursts the last vestige of its earthly life and merges 

with the highest atmosphere.  The essence of that balloon, what made it a 

balloon, becomes totally free and part of the air that touches my face, the power 

that moves the clouds, even my very breath.”