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This story is dedicated to my late step-father, who passed away on January 13th, 2007, one day after his 75th birthday. Although it is not his story, most of the characters physical aches and pains were his. He is finally free from the bondage of his age and pain. May he rest in peace.
He stumbled along slowly, feeling deeply the pain of each small step. His shoe caught on a bump in the concrete. He knew he was falling, but there was really nothing he could do to stop himself. His reflexes and muscles were just not what they used to be. He watched as the ground came up to meet his face. He was lucky this time. It was grass in front of him, not the sidewalk. Sure, he'd be looking at a bruise on his cheek later, but at least there was no blood. It's hard these days to stop the bleeding. The blood thinner that he takes keeps it flowing longer than normal.
He slowly picked himself up off of the ground, feeling every new pain that this new fall has caused, as well as all of the old familiar ones. He continued into the building in front of him, anxious to make it to his easy chair, his best friend these days.
He stopped at the mailbox inside and reached to his belt loop for his keys. It took him a minute, but they finally came loose. He managed to find the mailbox key, mostly by touch. He has needed new glasses for a long time, but his monthly checks only cover his basic bills, there's nothing left over for luxuries like new glasses. Even with the little insurance he has, he can't afford his share of the cost. Sometimes just cleaning the glasses helps a little, but that just causes more avoidable pain. The arthritis in his hands is unforgiving.
He walked cautiously down the long hallway to his door, wishing it was closer. The hallway looked a mile long from where he stood. The doctor told him he should use his walker to ease some of the pain and prevent falls, but he is too proud, not to mention stubborn.
Eventually, he reached the door. In just moments, he was inside and on his way to the chair. He eased himself into the chair, already dreading the moment he would have to get up, knowing the pain that would come with that movement. At least he could rest now. His eyes were closed within minutes, his mind and body already absorbing the rest they so badly craved.
He began to dream. He saw himself as a young man, full of energy, moving quickly. And moving right along side of him was a beautiful young woman. Her name was Missy. He had never met a more wonderful human being. He reached for her hand in this warm and fast-moving dream. He slipped a ring on her finger. Yes, this was his wife. They spent many years together. Until that day that the cancer had finally gotten the best of her. He missed her so, but was thankful that her pain had finally ceased. It had been hard to watch each day as the pain moved across her face.
He had always known she was waiting for him. He knew they would one day be reunited. He just had to be patient. His patience was going on 10 years now. He had thought he couldn't survive without her in his life, but he could feel that she never really left him. He felt her watching over him, day and night. Lately, he felt her tugging him. He could feel the pull become stronger each day.
His dream continued. She was wearing the same dress he had last seen her in, she wore it at the funeral. He had never forgotten. She began to move away from him, but held her hand out to him at the same time. He reached out, but couldn't quite touch her hand. He started to run, and within seconds, he could feel the beat of his heart inside his chest. He was closing the gap between them. He was almost there.
He reached out and their hands met. He immediately felt the warmth of her hand start seeping through his palm. It flowed through his veins up into his arm. Within no time, the warmth enveloped him. It was Heaven. There was no pain, only the comforting heat as it quickly filled him. She wrapped her arms around him like a soft velvety blanket. He held her close for just a moment, then took a deep breath. The overwhelming feeling of joy was something he wanted to last an eternity. As he slowly exhaled, their feet left the ground. The was no pain, no loneliness, for eternity was now.
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