Another Black Holiday

He was gone, really gone, it finally hit me right then and there. Driving in my car right as the music faded and the rain started to fall, watching as the sky changed and the storm moved in, i knew i was not going to make it to the city and spend New Years with my friends there. At the moment my phone rang. Home, it said. I answered and only heard, "He's Gone". Now things had changed, and everything just would not be the same. As the storm picked up my new destination was to get home. The storm turned from rain to snow pure white and very slowly started to cover out the color of the world. As i got closer and closer to home the sound of sadness could not be drowned out no matter how fast i drove, or how loud the music was. As i pulled in to the snow covered driveway a hush fell over the household, i knew that when i walked in it would not be the same household that i left hours before. And that the late nights of not being able to sleep would be fueled by sadness rather than concern and care as we watched over him. The door open, tears in my families eyes, the stairs seemed to go on forever. His room held the feel and smell of death as he laid there motionless on his bed. "He wanted something to eat, and by the time i got back he was just gone" my mother said. His skin just hung on his bones, and he really didnt look like himself at all. As my hand touched his cold empty hand my eyes filled with sadness. The time had just slowed to a shattering stop. The family comforts one another, and then slowly leaves the room. I just need to be alone and go find a place alone in the house to just sit and think. Time drags on for what seems like days even though i know its still not the new year yet. My mom announces that they will be here soon to pick him up. As well all pay our last respects and pray, death shows up in human form. Death wearing black and dark clothing, floats in, asks the mandatory questions and goes to collect their soul. They bring in their cart, and carry him over to it, asking for a bit of assistance with their newly collected soul. Why i thought would i help Death? i thought as i just stood their, i couldnt move anyway, why would i want to move to help them. They get the soul on the cart as it makes a horrible screeching sound when the soul is placed upon deaths cart. They say their last words, and cover him up. It looks so much different in really life than on tv or movies, i thought. they took him out even thought the aura of death still filled the house. One of death's collectors had forgot his coat and i followed out to the car to hand it to him and had to watch as He was put into the back. Death thanked me for the coat, and then was gone, i walked slowly up the snowcovered side walk telling myself not to look back, but to keep looking forward. We all went back to our spots and just sat in silence as the darkness crept into the house. As the new year started to creep up emotions ran a bit freer and then i looked for an escape and found a friend and a bar to drink to life, death, memories, and a better days.

"And you ask me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
'Cause I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And desire and love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

So take these words
And sing out loud
'Cause everyone is forgiven now
'Cause tonight's the night the world begins again"

RIP - Norbert Boehler 1919-2009