“They say, when you’re about to die, that your life flashes before your eyes. Time practically comes to a halt and all your memories are relived in that final moment. From your first day of kindergarten when you tried to cut that cootie-infected girl’s hair while you were supposed to be napping. Crying your eyes out the first time you fell after taking the training wheels off of your bicycle, when dad gives you the standard talk about getting back on the horse. High school; finding out who you are and who you want to be. Trying out for the basketball team and tripping over your own feet. Discovering who your friends are and who just wanted to cheat on the Spanish test. And walking across the stage on that final day, without ever telling that special girl how you feel about her. One of many missed opportunities. Like blowing off the SATs to practice with your garage band. I mean, who needs college when you’re gonna be a rock star? Sooner or later though, reality sets in and the only opportunities still afforded to you are a minimum wage job and splitting the rent of a tiny cramped apartment with your former band mates. Sure, there are tough times. Memories you wish you didn’t have to see again. But I’ve realized that in our short stay in this world, the tough times, the difficult and dark days in our past, don’t have to spoil the good ones. Likewise, the good times don’t necessary make up for the bad ones. However… there are some truly perfect times; gloriously shining moments that no depressing thought or forgotten sin can overshadow… like when you stand up in front of everyone you know and say ‘I do’ to the love of your life. Or the first time you hold your baby girl and see just how precious she really is... hear her beautiful shrill voice crying for mommy… feel her take her first breathes of air… and listen to her heartbeat through her fragile little chest while she sleeps…”
Eric trailed off into silence and stared out of focus into his empty palms, gently overlaying each other in his lap.
“Is that what you saw, Eric?” Dr. Parker softly asked, rousing him from his trance-like gaze.
He looked up with glossy, reddening eyes. He was tired. Permanent dark circles and deep cut wrinkles made him appear older than he actually was. His short dark hair and scruffy unshaven face were peppered with pre-mature gray.
“Yeah,” he sighed after a beat, “the last thing I saw was my daughter’s face.”
“Er…” Dr. Parker started.
“BUT,” Eric exclaimed before she could finish a syllable, “but that’s not the end!”
“Oh really?” the doctor asked, somewhat taken aback by the vibrancy of her patient’s words, “What else did you see?”
“You know how folks say they’re in a dark tunnel and see a light that gets closer and closer?” He paused for Dr. Parker to nod in agreement. “Well Tess,” he started with half a grin, “do you know what’s at the other end of the tunnel?”
To be continued...
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου