FYV Lesson 5: When The Time Comes

When The Time Comes

The shaft of sunlight inched across the bed until it stabbed his eyes. He turned his head, not wanting to get up. He hurt. His muscles ached, his joints screamed with pain when he moved, his head felt too heavy to lift.  Then he remembered - today was the day...the time had come.

Slowly he ambled into the kitchen. “Good morning, Sunshine!” She smiled at him. “Got your breakfast ready.”  She put his breakfast down and kissed the top of his head. She sat down to eat, chatting about this and that, about the day ahead. He gazed at her, remembering the day they met, the years between then and now. He loved her. He loved everything about her – the way her hair curled up on the end, the bit of gray, the way her  eyes sparkled when she looked at him, the sound of her voice. He would miss her.

Too soon she was ready to leave. He walked her to the car. She turned and put her arm around him, “I have to stop at the grocery store after work, but I’ll be home in plenty of time for supper. You stay out of trouble.” She smiled. His heart ached.

He watched the car until it was out of sight. It was a beautiful day. The sky was such a bright blue and the clouds were so white and fluffy. He walked to the front yard. Past the bird bath where a vivid scarlet cardinal splashed. Past the rose bed and her red and pink and yellow roses. He remembered the day they planted them; well, the day she planted them. He had tried to help, especially with the digging, but she shooed him away and said she could do it by herself.

His gaze drifted across the road to the large empty field. One summer there was a tent revival there and they walked across the road to listen to the singing. What is it like to die, he wondered? Will I go to heaven like that preacher said? He didn’t know about those things; he wished he did.

In the back yard he thought about all the times they cooked supper on the deck. That was nice; especially afterwards when they just sat and enjoyed the summer night sounds. They had had a good life together, him and her. He hoped she would not be too upset with him.

He walked slowly up the path that led into the woods. That was one of their favorite things, walking through the forest together.  Shadows closed round him as he entered the cool darkness of the trees. Sounds of the birds and squirrels followed him down the familiar path. When he came to a fork, he turned and went away from their usual path.

He had found the place last fall. If you didn't know it was there, you wouldn’t find it, especially now that bushes covered it. He didn't want her to find him. He had to do this his way; it was better this way. There it was just ahead, just a small crevice between two boulders. He slipped inside.

Inside the small cave, it was dim, just a small bit of sunlight filtered through. At least here he would be dry if it rained, and it was cool.  Leaves had blown through the opening and covered the floor. He pushed them together to make a bed. There.

What is it like to die? Will there just be nothing or will I go to heaven? He was so tired. His legs throbbed from the walk, his muscles ached. He laid down on the bed of leaves, thankful for their comfort. When the time came - there was nothing left  now but to wait. He would think of her – remembering their time together - and wait. With a sigh, he laid his weary head down on his paws.

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