And of course, the ultimate end is the ultimate beginning…

 

 

THE LAST NEW BEGINNING

By

Cheryl Clark

 

These are the ones He warned her about.  The last ones will hurt the most.  It was a solemn statement, spoken for the truth.  Everyone knows that God doesn’t lie.  Until they closed the lid for the last time, she had been allowed to hear what the morners said.  She hadn’t been forced to put herself through this last wrenching goodbye, but she felt she must.  Her loved ones should feel her presence.  She had always, in everyway possible, shielded the ones she loved.  Even though she would not be allowed contact in any way _ other than on some heavenly higher plain _ still she chose to listen and ponder what was said.

She lay stiff and drawn.  Her hands crossed in an unfamiliar gesture of humility.  Her first boyfriend had stuffed her in this box.  Rosemary thought it might be his little way of getting even for breaking up with him those fifty years ago. Even the Good Lord knew, not one synonym in the Roget’s Thesaurus under meek really fit her.  Brazen perhaps, but that had been an inside joke between she and her husband.

First came the gossips.  Rosemary wished she could laugh out loud at these waspish cows with their heads bowed and whispering to each other as if talking to God.  She wished she could sit straight up one last time.  Somewhere there was a deep chuckle heard only by her.

            “Do you remember the time she dated that sixteen year old?” Peggy Sue hissed to Jane.

            Jane’s smile spread from ear to ear, it looked so wide as to be in danger of splitting, as she whispered, “Not now dear. Meet me at the dumpster.”  Their voices faded, and one managed a sniff.

            Rosemary felt a jolt.  It stunned her body and caused her soul to fly about circling around her.  He was coming, and it would be the last goodbye.

Then, he was standing there looking down on her.  

Fair thee well my Darling.  I shall miss you so, Rosemary thought.  Your tears burn my cheeks with their torment, yet I cannot touch you.  If I could my Love, I would beg you to follow me to this new beginning where aches and pains are present no more.  I see more clearly than I ever saw, and I hear even your thoughts.  Can you feel me here, Darling?  Peace cloaks me, and harmony guides me.  My heart is breaking for you, my Love, but I must go now.  It is time for me to start again.  Follow me, follow your heart, follow my love, but please my Husband follow me.  I will walk slowly into this vast unknown. 

I will give you time to catch up and we will begin again.