Chapter 1: The Dream
The night air was cool, with a gentle breeze rustling the curtains of Steph's bedroom. The moonlight cast a soft glow over her sleeping form, her hands resting near her beloved guitar, which lay on the bed beside her. Steph's delicate features, framed by the halo of her short, dark hair, appeared peaceful, as though she had found a momentary escape from the reality of her illness. In this quiet slumber, Steph drifted into a dream unlike any she had ever experienced.
She found herself standing in a garden—a breathtaking expanse of vibrant colors and intoxicating fragrances. The flowers were like nothing she had ever seen, their petals glowing with an inner light, each one more beautiful than the last. There were roses in every shade imaginable, lilies that shimmered like stars, and sunflowers that stretched toward a sky painted in hues of gold and lavender. The air was filled with the sweet melody of birdsong, and a sense of overwhelming peace washed over her.
As she walked among the flowers, Steph noticed a soft, ethereal light growing brighter ahead of her. Drawn to it, she moved closer, her heart filled with a sense of awe and anticipation. There, in the heart of the garden, stood a figure bathed in radiant light. An angel, with wings that shimmered like silver and eyes as warm as the sun, smiled gently at her.
“Steph,” the angel spoke, her voice like a harmony of all the sweetest sounds Steph had ever heard.
“You have been chosen.”
“Chosen?” Steph asked, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and wonder.
“For what?”
The angel’s smile deepened, and she stepped closer, placing a hand on Steph’s shoulder.
“You have a gift, Steph. A gift to touch hearts and souls with your music. Your purpose is to bring light to those who dwell in darkness, to give hope to the hopeless, and to spread love through the power of your songs.”
Tears welled up in Steph’s eyes as she listened. She had always found comfort in her music, especially in the gospel songs that spoke of faith and love, but she had never imagined that her gift could have such a profound purpose.
“But… I’m just one person,” Steph said, her voice breaking.
“And I don’t have much time.”
The angel’s expression softened with compassion.
“Time is a gift, and though yours may be limited, it is enough. Do not doubt the impact you can have. Even the smallest light can pierce the deepest darkness. Go out into the world, Steph. Sing your songs, share your heart, and you will fulfill your purpose.”
As the angel spoke, the garden seemed to glow even brighter, the flowers swaying gently as if in agreement. Steph felt a warmth spread through her chest, a sense of peace and determination that she had never felt before.
“I will,” Steph whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks.
“I will do it.”
The angel smiled once more, her wings spreading wide as the light around her intensified.
“Go with faith, Steph. You are never alone.”
The light grew brighter and brighter until it enveloped Steph completely, and she felt herself being lifted, her heart filled with a sense of purpose so strong that it was almost overwhelming. The last thing she heard before waking was the angel’s voice, soft and reassuring:
“Remember, Steph, you are loved.”
Steph awoke with a start, her heart pounding in her chest. She sat up in bed, blinking against the fading darkness of her room, the dream still vivid in her mind. She could almost smell the flowers, hear the angel’s voice echoing in her ears. Her guitar lay beside her, its polished wood gleaming faintly in the moonlight.
She reached out, running her fingers over the strings, feeling the familiar texture beneath her fingertips. The dream had felt so real, so powerful, that it left no room for doubt in her mind. This was her calling her purpose.
Steph took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. She knew what she had to do, but the thought of leaving her family, of saying goodbye, weighed heavily on her heart. They had been her greatest support through the darkest days of her illness, and she knew that this would be the hardest part.
The next morning, as the first light of dawn crept into her room, Steph made her way downstairs. The house was quiet, the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafting from the kitchen. Her parents, John and Margaret, were sitting at the kitchen table, their faces lined with worry. They looked up as she entered, their expressions softening with love and concern.
“Morning, sweetheart,” her father said, offering her a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Good morning,” Steph replied, her voice trembling slightly. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she had to say. “Mom, Dad… I need to talk to you.”
Her mother’s face grew serious as she reached out to take Steph’s hand.
“What is it, honey? Is everything okay?”
Steph nodded, though she could feel the tears welling up again.
“I had a dream last night. It was so vivid… so real. I was in a garden, and an angel appeared to me. She told me that my purpose is to touch souls through my music. That I’m supposed to go out into the world and sing for people who need hope.”
Her parents exchanged a glance, their eyes filling with tears as they listened. Steph squeezed her mother’s hand, trying to keep her voice steady.
“I know it sounds crazy,” she continued, “but I believe it. I believe this is what I’m meant to do. I don’t have much time left, but I want to spend it doing something that matters. I want to go out and share my music with people who need it.”
John’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as he placed a hand on Steph’s shoulder. “Steph… are you sure about this?”
Steph nodded, her resolve firm.
“Yes, Dad. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I don’t want to waste the time I have left just waiting… I want to make a difference, even if it’s just a small one.”
Margaret wiped at her eyes, her voice thick with emotion.
“Oh, Steph… we always knew you were special. But this… this is so much to take in.”
“I know, Mom,” Steph said softly. “And I’m sorry. I know it’s going to be hard, but I need to do this. I need to know that I’ve lived with purpose.”
There was a long silence as her parents absorbed her words, the weight of her decision settling heavily on them. Finally, John spoke, his voice trembling with emotion.
“If this is what you feel you need to do, then we’ll support you, Steph. We’ll miss you terribly, but we’ll be with you in spirit, every step of the way.”
Margaret nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks as she pulled Steph into a tight embrace.
“We love you so much, sweetheart. We want you to be happy, to find peace in whatever way you can.”
Steph hugged her mother back, the tears she had been holding back finally spilling over.
“I love you both so much. Thank you… thank you for understanding.”
They held each other for a long time, the kitchen filled with the sound of soft sobs and whispered words of love. Eventually, they pulled away, their faces streaked with tears but filled with a sense of acceptance.
“We’ll help you pack,” John said, his voice thick with emotion.
“Whatever you need, we’ll make sure you have it.”
Steph nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude.
“Thank you, Dad. I won’t need much just some clothes, a little money, and my guitar. I don’t know where I’m going yet, but I trust that I’ll find my way.”
Margaret stroked Steph’s hair, her eyes filled with a mother’s love and worry.
“Just promise us one thing, Steph… promise that you’ll stay safe, that you’ll come back to us if things get too hard.”
“I promise,” Steph said, her voice soft but sincere.
“I’ll be careful, and I’ll write to you whenever I can. But please don’t worry too much about me. I’ll be doing what I love, and I’ll be carrying your love with me wherever I go.”
The rest of the morning was spent packing a small backpack with the essentials. Steph’s parents made sure she had enough food and money to get by for a while, though they knew it wouldn’t be much. Steph carefully placed her guitar in its case, making sure it was secure before slinging it over her shoulder. 
By noon, everything was ready. The time had come for the hardest part the goodbye.
They stood in the doorway of their home, the place where Steph had grown up, surrounded by memories both sweet and bittersweet. John and Margaret held onto her tightly, their eyes red from crying, but their hearts full of love and pride for their brave daughter.
“We’re so proud of you, Steph,” John whispered, his voice breaking.
“You’ve always been our little miracle, and now you’re going to be a miracle for others.”
Margaret kissed Steph’s forehead, her tears mingling with her daughter’s.
“We’ll be praying for you every day, my love. And we’ll be waiting here with open arms when you come home.”
Steph smiled through her tears, her heart heavy with the weight of the goodbye but also light with the knowledge that she was doing what she was meant to do.
“I’ll come back,” she promised, her voice strong despite the emotion that threatened to overwhelm her.
“But until then, I’ll carry you both in my heart. I love you.”