Only Time....
I know its long. But let me know what you think kids.
As the gentle rays of morning laggardly made their way through the open window, they delicately rested upon his closed eyelids, slowly, yet ever so gently awakening him just as they had for countless times in the past. He slowly opened his eyes. Time was on his side today. It was 8 am. He began to think about the duties the day had in store for him, but something about today was different. Something did not feel right. He had had premonitions like this in the past, but never stopped to contemplate them, certain that they were meaningless. Figuring that this was another insignificant surmise, he rose out of bed and prepared to take on the day.
He slowly made his way down the stairs. He found the morning newspaper, and sat outside, serenaded by the soothing sound of the water fountain. He had not been interested in astrology, but today, as he was riffling through the pages, the subdivision of horoscopes caught his eye. He was awe stricken to read what the stars had conjectured. “Some news you hear today may not be something that you were expecting. Remember that life takes one step at a time, and take on today with strength and courage.”. What could it mean? What was in store for him today that differed from the other days in the past? The parlance played endlessly in his mind. He placed his hands behind his neck, tilted his head back, and looked up at the sky. The birds around him seemed to play in a symphony, as if telling him, be calm, child. Your fears may seem prodigious, but life must go on.
The faint sound of his cell phone made him focus back on the feelings of uneasiness he was having. He realized he had left it on his windowsill, and tried to dash up the stairs in time to reach it, but it was too late. He checked to see who had been trying to reach him, but the identity was unknown. He stood there with the small device in his hand, hoping that the individual would once again attempt to contact him. Seconds passed. It began to ring. Identity unknown. He answered with uncertainty, but was soon reassured when he heard the voice of a friend he had held close to him for many years now. Something was wrong. She was hardly able to speak, but abound the tears, he was able to understand the message she was attempting to convey. Not able to speak, the call was ended, and he knew that this was no longer just a feeling. This was something he had been expecting, just without certainty of exactly what it was.
He set his phone down on the windowsill, just as he had before. Unable to think, he curled up on the corner of his bed. An endless sequence of tears slowly made their way down his cheek. Time seemed to pass so quickly for some reason. He didn’t know how to feel. He didn’t know what to say. His phone began to ring countless times during this duration, but things of greater importance were racing through his mind. He attempted to pinch himself just to make sure he wasn’t dreaming, but the reality of everything finally began to settle. As he came back to his senses, he regained the consciousness and returned the calls of the many who had attempted to reach him once again. Hours of conversation, tears, and recollections passed. Never before had he felt this magnitude of gratitude for the ones he was able to call his friends.
Days passed, and the only thing that gave him a sense of comfort and ease was spending time with the ones that shared the same feelings he did. Reading the obituary in the newspaper, he thought back to that unforgettable morning. He realized just how much life could change in an instant, but we must live on.
He sat in the chapel listening to the eulogies and prayers being given, not able to accept the facts that he knew were now a reality. He stood on the rolling green valley, amazed by the beauty of the world around him. As he focused on the closed casket being slowly lowered into the earth, he realized that this was something he needed to accept. His tear filled eyes focused on the hundreds of people around him. Although he felt that no one knew what he was going through, he was certain that everyone was sharing in these same sentiments he was. The earth slowly covered the casket, and time seemed to stand still as he focused on the family of his dear friend.
Every once in a while, he returns to the site where his companion rests. He sits beside his grave, each time more comfortable than the last. He still talks to him - knowing that although he is not able to respond, he is listening more than he ever had before. A sense of comfort comes over him. He realizes how fragile and beautiful life truly is, and from that moment on, vows to love and cherish all of the people he holds dear to his heart. As he walks away and has his friend on his mind, he knows that he is walking in his footsteps, only half of a step behind him. He hears a whisper rolling through the valley. He looks up at the sky, and understands the message it is trying to deliver. He focuses, and hears in his mind……only time...