A Journey’s End…

Numb.

My mind is blank like a new sheet of a drawing tablet waiting for it’s first stroke of lead. Succumbing to a feeling of loss I am, and have been, unable to focus on anything.

Life has again delivered its wake-up call ..reminding once more that we are all on borrowed time and no life lasts forever.

With heavy heart, I respectfully acknowledge this fact with the passing of my Uncle yesterday. Taken from us abruptly and unexpectedly, my family is left grieving and sad …coping with the loss of another one of its’ members.

Succumbing to his journey’s end, my uncle slipped away slowly… mind before body. He had ‘drifted’ into a realm unknown… travelling down the final path leading from this world ..into the next.

Wanting to believe that we all have a predestined path we have unwittingly chosen to travel in death as perhaps in life, I believe it will be our last beautiful ‘life-like’ experience. It is on this ‘crossing-over’ journey where peace and comfort will be provided to a distressed yet aware and somewhat ‘knowing’ state of transition. It is reminiscent of all things which brought happiness in this world…promising the same happiness and comfort in the next.

Exploring this idea a little further, my thoughts run freely. I want to believe no two paths have to be the same.. I think these paths should be as we are, unique unto themselves. Reflecting deeply on this subject, as one can often become lost in thought in the face of death, I find myself envisioning what I’d want my own final journey to be like.

As I follow my ‘path’ along, ..a literal ‘trail’ as it were..I am nestled in a wood. Quiet surrounds me but I hear the silent crunching of pine needles beneath my feet with every step I take. There is a calming reassurance in the distinct calls of birds overhead as a stream soothingly rushes past to my left. The air is pleasantly warm on my skin ..there is a peace overtaking me. Along the way I pass a few people …all of us heading in the same direction. I hear their voices but they are distant …their words not really mattering anyway. I’m assured of my course to a precise destination though I do not know where I am.. I’m lost, but I know the way.

I’m comforted by all I held in wonderment in ‘life’ and find complete contentment this state… I’m aware that the end of this journey will hold a summit like no other and there is no turning back. The final destination will be clarifying and freeing of all concerns. It will be warm and comforting yet calmly exhilarating…engulfing all the senses. It will provide a release of all burdens ever known …and embracing it is all that is left to do…

Perhaps it is the necessary mental painting of this picture that allows us to accept and let go of life…the most precious gift given and shared with others.

For some it is the promise of another life yet to come that holds peace and acceptance in losing all those that have passed away from this world.

A too-fast-in-coming fate awaiting us all..it is inescapable for all living things…

For there is an end to every beginning…

…and in turn

…there can be no beginning…

without…such an end.

..I’ll miss you, “Unc”.

Until next time…Liz