This is the almost magical tale of how many lives are woven together.  Lily has always been the responsible one in her dysfunctional family.    Her brother, Lonnie, has always been a screw up.  Since their father left them before Lily was born, Lonnie has been a little slower than the other kids.  He starts things then never finishes.  Lily’s mom is sad and disappointed in Lonnie.  Pop, Lily’s grandpa, threatens Lonnie when he turns 22 to get it together or don’t come back.  Lonnie moves out and enrolls in college.  He meets a nice young woman and finally finds what he is good at.  Lily’s mom works long hours as a doctor at an elder care facility.  She often brings home her day patients when they have no where to go.  Lily feels like a little old lady already.  She pays the bills, cooks the dinner, does the housework, and worries about the home.  One day she decides perhaps it is time to be a kid and what better way than to fall in love.  The guy she likes doesn’t know she exists.  So she thinks about him and dreams of him.  On their way to her grandfather’s eightieth birthday party, Lily runs into her crush and it turns out he has noticed her and he asks her out!  Later that night she arrives at her grandparents’ home.  Her brother is there with his fiance.  Her Pop has forgiven him.  Her father calls her.  Magically she has a perfect day and her family doesn’t seem so dysfunctional after all.

I could easily relate to Lily.  Who doesn’t think their family is somewhat dysfunctional?  I know there were times I wished I had a different family, just as I’m sure many teens feel the same way.  Part of life is realizing your family is all you have and dysfunctional or not you have to learn to accept them for who they are.  You have to forgive their flaws and focus on their best qualities.  Lily realizes this when she sees her family together at her Pop’s house.

This story is an based on an interesting concept.  A Fallen Angel named Kiriel gets tired of his hum drum life watching over lost souls in hell so he decided to come to Earth to experience what life has to offer.  At first he hopes no one will notice he is gone, so he can enjoy his time in a body he has confiscated (Shaun’s body.)  He appreciates every little detail of life.  The feel of a hot shower.  Eating ketchup.  Petting a cat.  Before long he wants to make a difference in the world.  He realizes that Shaun’s life is not as good as it could be.  Shaun’s brother, Jason, has shut himself off from the world.  He is always doing something wrong, usually breaking things, often angry.  In reality, he is scared that no one will accept him for how he truly is.  Because Kiriel knows all, he knows Jason’s fears and he tries to use Shaun’s body to be good big brother to Jason.  Since Jason and Shaun had picked on each other since Jason will little, at first Jason doesn’t know whether to trust him or not.  Soon Jason goes along with Shaun to his friend Bailey’s house and their friendship blossoms from there.  Jason starts to look forward to hanging out with Shaun.  They have normal conversations.  They are a family.  Jason also knows that a girl at school has had a crush on Jason for quite some time, but Jason has not even noticed her.  So he decided to start spending time with her at school.  His intentions at first are all wrong.  He only wants to get to know her so he can experience sex.  She sets him straight quite quickly by informing him she’s not having sex with him.  So they settle for hanging out with his friend Bailey and playing video games. Throughout it all, Kiriel wonders where he truly belongs.  He wonders if the Creator knows he is missing.  And if so…does HE care?  Just as he becomes comfortable in Jason’s body…they come to take him back to hell.  Before he goes Hanael, the Unfallen who has come to take him back, tells him that Shaun will regain his life within his body.  But, he will be hit by a car and put in a coma so he will forget what has happened to him.  Shaun will have to fight for his life and start over.  Thus, making him appreciate the life he never appreciated before.

Kiriel, like so many of us, wonders what his place in the universe is.  Is our Creator watching us?  Does he personally know who we are?  As I read this I thought, what a universal theme to write about.  I know I have pondered this question as have many people across the world.  Does He truly hear our prayers?  Is He noticing the good things I am doing in this world?  It is a never ending journey…trying to make the world a better place day by day.  Kiriel, on his way back to hell is already thinking about how to improve the lives of the souls trapped there and hopping perhaps his Creator will notice.