46

The soul found itself in a sunlit garden, vibrant with life. Rows of flowers swayed gently in the breeze, and the scent of fresh-cut grass filled the air. Trees stood tall, their leaves rustling softly, casting dappled shadows on winding stone paths. A worn pair of gloves and a rusted trowel rested on a nearby bench — tools that had shaped this living masterpiece.

The Angel of Death appeared beside the soul, watching the garden with a quiet admiration.

"You didn't just plant gardens," the Angel said softly. "You planted peace."

The soul sighed, gazing at the vibrant colors. "It never felt like much. Just dirt and weeds and backaches. People walked by without a second glance. They saw the beauty, but not the work."

The Angel nodded slowly. "That's the thing about beauty — it feels effortless to those who only see the result. But you… you saw the potential when it was nothing but barren soil. You gave life where there was none."

The soul's voice trembled. "I wanted people to feel calm. To find a moment of peace, even if they didn't know who made it possible."

"They felt it," the Angel reassured. "The mother who sat on a bench to catch her breath. The elderly man who smiled at the roses every morning. The child who ran barefoot on the grass. They didn't need to know your name to feel the gift you gave them."

The soul looked around the garden, seeing it anew — not as a job site, but as a sanctuary. Each tree was a quiet protector. Each flower a burst of joy. Every path a gentle invitation to slow down and breathe.

"I guess… I never realized how much it mattered."

The Angel smiled warmly. "The greatest works often go unspoken. But the earth remembers. The roots remember. And the people who found solace here… they remember, too — even if they don't realize why."

The soul let out a shaky breath, but this time it was lighter. "I think I'm ready now."

The Angel extended a hand. "Let's go."

As the garden faded into light, somewhere, a visitor walked along the path, pausing to admire a row of blooming tulips. They smiled, feeling a little lighter, a little more at peace — unaware they were carrying the soul's legacy with them.