There was Harry as usual on his cell phone barking orders to his secretary, staff, his wife and even his children. He was always in a hurry, never wishing to be late for anything, pushing all the while as he had since becoming president of the company where he had worked since graduating from college. He did not want to have one idle moment where looking ahead as to what would happen next, was clouded by ifs in life. That was Harry. But he had not always been that way.
Now on his way to the airport, the traffic was backing up, he would not be late. So he pushed the on button for the GPS, found an alternative route and was on his way again, forward and in a hurry. The stop at a red light, the first car in the turn lane, he barked an order to the lady at the cross way to push the light change button. She did not respond. He got out of the car, pushed the button, then turned to tell the lady she should have pushed the light change button. The bus flattened him like a pancake.
“Just follow me and I will show you what to do,” said the lady who had been at the cross walk.
“I just want to sit down for awhile and think about all of this,” he said.
“Well, just take your time and let me know when you are ready,” she said.
“I guess there is no reason to hurry, hurry now,” he said. “I will have an eternity.”
She and he stood together watching the family and friends file by the coffin, paying their respects. There was a short service and then the burial. Everyone departed except he and she watching the workmen throw shovel by shovel of dirt into the hole. Each shovel full sounded like a knock on the door and then there was silence.
He awoke the next day, knowing that there was no need to hurry. He had an eternity. Slowly drank the first few cups of Colombian bean freshly brewed until his family arrived in the breakfast room, they finished the French toast he had prepared. Off to school, off to work, off to classes at the junior college went his wife.
No Harry did not make any significant changes in his life after his experience of death, except for one. He no longer hurries, hurried.
There were several years in between similar experiences of death and being led by the hand by the same lady, until much later in life after all his family and friends had proceeded him in their own deaths he sat alone in the confessional at his Catholic church thinking about his life and the priest entered. In a soft voice he asked if Harry wished to make redemption. Harry said yes, and did to return to his life, as it was now having taken small steps throughout his adult life, learning along the way, not hurrying, no more thinking of just himself, being involved in small ways helping others overcome adversity, forsaking worldly possessions.
Oh you get the idea. Harry had changed. A little bit at the time.
This would be a grand day Harry thought. Chess has always been a passion and the tournament a few blocks from his apartment would have chess enthusiasts from all over the city. A class act for the town. He had gotten up from an excellent nights sleep; early where he would not have to hurry, hurry and the French toast with butter was a favorite along with the Colombian bean freshly brewed. Brush those teeth, wear good cloths and off to the tournament.
“I never would have made that move. You would think he would learn,” said Harry.
“Oh he will learn Harry. Just give him time. You learned and were given time” said the lady in white.
As they walked toward the white light at the end of the tunnel together, Harry thought to himself that life had turned out to be an excellent adventure and he was eternally grateful that he had been given such a precious gift, time!
Footnote: The idea for this short story was the result of watching an episode of Dead Like Me! which is a cable production of MGM.
Copyright: 1986-2010