I think I'm more willing to compare this to worn, weather-stained painting than any written work.

Its so beautiful how it's all in rythm, and just so clean.
I dont like to think that when they die they are just put back on the planet as sombody else though,
I think the planet just uses their human spirit as the energy. Then their souls stays in the Lifestream, like Heaven.
But I thought it was really easy to imagine the way you described it. :)

The beginning and the end are connected in such a gorgeous roundabout sense, thus giving even grander meaning and impact to the journey Cloud takes, his thoughts within it, observation of two specific seasons, and his friend's responses to his actions, words, and the motivations that only he realizes the meaning behind.

Additionally, the use of both rain, the Promised Land, and the river carried a poetic, memorable sense into Cloud's perspective of life, and thereafter.

Beautiful writing. I personally don't like the idea of Cloud drifting along until he dies, but you make it sound so poignant. I like how you didn't take the obvious route of having him properly meet Aerith in the Lifestream. And it's nice how the ending comes full circle as well. :)