How I Imagine Your Death

What I imagine death was like for my dad, through his eyes.

The restaurant was full, orders piling into the kitchen

My sister and I had a rhythm to handle it all with ease, organized chaos

Most busy nights like this I thrived off, they gave me energy and zest, we had fun and celebrated our win at the end of the night.

Not tonight, something was off and I couldn’t put my finger on it.

At the height of the rush my chest had become so tight I could not breathe.

I told Dawn I needed some air and ran out of the kitchen and down the back stairs.

I could not catch my breath and my heart was jumping through my chest.

I fumbled with my phone and managed to call Dawn. Thank God she heard her phone ringing and came running down the stairs to find me collapsed and gasping for air.

“You are having a heart attack Dennis!” She said as she called 911 and ran up stairs to get help and water.

My consciousness began to slip, this cant be it, please God!

Dawn held my hands and fed me water as we waited to be rescued from this nightmare.

The next thing I remember is my mother’s voice. That soothing voice I have not heard for over 30 years. “Everything is going to be alright Dennis”

I watched from above as the EMTs strap down my limp body and push me inside the ambulance. They shocked my heart trying to get me back, my body convulsed and then went lifeless.

I turned to see my sister collapsed on her knees screaming in agony.

I whispered into her ear- “I will always be with you”

And then the light engulfed me into it and I was traveling through its warm peaceful embrace.

I traveled for a while, memories of my life flashing by.

When the light slowed down and I could see clearly, I found myself on the shore. The water was smooth as glass. I could see down to the depths. The sky a rainbow of intense color, more brilliant than any sunset I’d seen on earth.

I heard a scurry behind me and turned to see Jack and Joey running up to greet me. Their legs running as fast as they had in their prime, not like the end of their life when I’d carry them outside and set them back down on their blanket. They licked my face and jumped into my lap so happy to see me.

Off in the distance a boat became visible, floating effortlessly towards shore. As it came closer I saw the faces of my mother and father. They were radiant and beaming with joy. I ran to them and collapsed in their embrace. They helped me onto the boat, with the dogs in my lap we floated toward the rainbow of colors.

The canvas of sky morphed as we traveled along. It began to reveal to me what was happening on earth. I could see my family and friends gathering together and holding each other close. I felt the tears they were shedding for my absence and laughter they shared for our memories. I began to reach out and swirl the colors, sending comfort their way.