Just a mintue

They say it takes 7 minutes for you to die completely but what happens the minute before the beginning of the end?

Today started just like every other day but different at the same time. You know how they say a dog will tell you when it’s time? This was that moment. The moment it was time for me to go. I started thinking about my life and what I accomplished- did I do everything I wanted- I needed?

I closed my eyes- I drifted off to sleep. As soon as I drifted off something that looked like a cross between a fairy and a house elf with a walking stick appeared next to me. I said hello to him like he was an old friend.

“Hello, sweet girl. Are you ready for one more adventure?” The fairy elf asked.

“One more adventure?” I somehow knew what he meant by one more adventure. But very quickly I’m going into denyal.

He seemed to see the worry on my face; “Don’t worry sweet girl. This won’t take long. Just one minute.”

Fairy Elf handed me a cup of coffee and a donut; “For the trip.”

I tilted my head in confusion as a horse and buggy pulled up. Fairy Elf helped me in the buggy: “What is this?”

Fairy Elf sighed; “As you may expect this is your last minute. You don't need to worry my sweet girl. We are just going for a ride while we enjoy our coffee and talk about your life.”

“What is there to talk about? I’m not even sure I had one to be honest. I spent a lot of it trying to run away from trauma and trying to heal from it as well.”

The horse and buggy started to move and we turned into a park. As soon as we entered the park we started from the very beginning. As I was listening to the Fairy Elf talk the scenery was changing- changing into the memories of my past life.

“I know this isn't what you want to hear- especially for your last minute but in between all of that, you did accomplish a lot. That was part of the healing process. You grew into your own person, developed your own personality and came out of your shell. This lead you to clean up the mess you created during the darkest of times. It may of taken up a chunk of your life but the other chunk of your life, it was the most beautiful thing.”

We stopped at a fork in the road; “This was the place you were stuck at for a while- longer than it should of. You see three paths that could have been yours. You had a lot of decision-making and healing to do. With a lot of work, you finally moved on.”

The buggy started moving down the centre path.

“Why are we even here?”

“That is a very good question, my sweet girl. Once you find out, I’d love to know.”

What the hell does that even mean?

He noticed my confusion, smiled and said; “My sweet girl, don’t worry yourself. You did way too much of that already. There’s no need to worry, I am here to take care of you.”

We rode in silence for a while, as I watched my life go from a nightmare to a beautiful dream. The feeling that the nightmare was over and watching myself change into something wonderful. It made me dread leaving this all behind.

“Why did I have so much time wasted in a nightmare?”

Fairy Elf's face became very sad; “No one really understands why bad things happen. Especially to such a beautiful soul but what I can tell you is that you didn't deserve what happened to you.”

“Even in the darkest of times, you've managed to see the light in everything.”

“What happens now? Where are we going?”

“That all depends on you but we are going to a place where you can continue to be you and to be peaceful and happy.”

“Will it hurt? Why do I have to go? Why me?”

“No, it will not hurt. My sweet girl, we are coming to the end. Everything Beautiful comes to an end at some time. Beautiful souls like you get to go somewhere special.

As to why you. You deserve to spend all of your time in a place filled with all of your wildest dreams. All the wildest dreams you can come up with. A place it's just for you. A place you can control just for you.”

“What if I don't want to go just yet?”

“I understand it's scary to go someplace new but this is a place where no one will ever hurt you again. A place without worry. A place with all the paint and all the puppies you can ever imagine, my sweet girl.”

Do I really want to move on from my old life? This place sounds like heaven.

We get to the end of the road and we are at my home but it's different. I can't really explain why. I can hear barking in the distance. Within moments a third of dogs- all the dogs I've had in my lifetime were running toward me.

I don't know if I should be sad or happy. So many overwhelming emotions.

As I took in all the kisses and all the love from every dog in a lifetime, something shifted and I no longer felt pain or sadness. Just gratitude on what the road leads a head.