The Dream, pt 2

I lay in my bed as I watch the sun rise for the last time. I always enjoyed watching the sunrise. It brings such a feeling of hope and rejuvenation knowing that a brand new day with infinite possibilities has just begun. But today, I know I shall never see another sunrise again.

The disease has been eating away at me for quite some time now. I don't know what the doctors call it; I let Luci take care of all that nonsense. He seems to want to fix it, but I know it is my time. My sun rose to its apex many years ago, and now I'm content to take my place among the stars.

Ah, memories. I may be old, but I still have quite a few! Running along as a wee girl in the tall fields of grass. Mother used to get so angry when I came home with such dirty feet! She always told me, "Annali, don't you get your Sunday shoes muddy! You need to learn some respect for your belongings!" Well, I'm proud to say those shoes stayed spotless! On the wall next to the creek whiled my feet were happily skipping in the mud far away.

And then there was that day, under the big shade tree... I had so many worries back then! Find a job. No, find a husband and he can find a job! No, go to school! No, raise a family! Heh, that boy sure put things in perspective though. What was his name? Edgar, Allan, something like that... It's been so long. But oh, I still remember that first kiss!

To think, I was once young. "Old Anna" the children call me now. I don't mind, they may have their videogames and their rap music, but most of them seem like nice enough people at heart. We all have our rebellions. Mother absolutely refused to let me go to that political rally, I remember that quite clearly. "It's no place for a woman!" she exclaimed. But I went, and when I was able I voted. I don't know how much good it did, but it certainly felt liberating!

Dear me, I had so many dreams back then. I wanted to blaze trails, go where no woman had ever dared go before! The War put those thoughts out of my head. It showed me how grizzly and crude the real world could be. It wasn't the place for my type of people. Ah well. Countries and humanity go through the same phases as people, I suppose.

But even though I never did follow those dreams, I've had a nice life. I found my niche, and it fit me quite well. The life of a schoolteacher is arduous at times, but I wouldn't trade it to the Queen. Those little tykes could be such a handful, but it was worth it! I never could quite explain why, but seeing those children scampering around at recess while I chased after them trying to get the boys to stop pulling the girl's hair and trying to teach the girls all the jump rope tricks I used to know when I was a girl just filled me with so much energy and a joy that seemed too good for me. They soon thought I was old, even way back then!

I sometimes regret not having more children of my own. Lucifer's been a fine son, certainly. I'm so proud of him. Even little Azandrias, his daughter, is growing up to be quite the poet. My, my she's not little at all anymore! I keep forgetting she's already about to finish college. It just doesn't seem possible! It's a shame I can't see her married, though. I'm sure she'll make some unsuspecting chap very happy. Or very sad, if her poetry is any indication.

I don't know what to make of my descendants. Luci was always embarrassed at my outgoing antics. He was always studying or learning or trying to improve himself. I wanted him to go out and play, but he said, "fun is fleeting, but knowledge is forever" or some such nonsense. And now Azandrias seems to only want to bemoan the horrible state of affairs the world has fallen into. She's always trying to convince me the world's in an awful state. I suppose she'll try to change things, but I don't think it's all that bad. I still enjoy it. You can't steal away the simple pleasures of life so easily. Nature in all her glory!

My goodness, look at the time! It's almost six PM! I must have dozed off between my reminiscing, else I'd have seen the doctor or Luci by now. Not that they can help or change anything. I wouldn't want them to if they could.

There's another sigh! I'm not really sad, though. I've no regrets. I've led a life any sane person would dream of having. It's been fascinating, in its own mundane way. People just can't appreciate their everyday lives anymore. They can't make the best of the current situation, they always have to dream of the best situation and regret not having it. I say the places may not be possible, but the feelings sure are! Ah, here's Lucifer now.

"Mother, how are you feeling? I'm afraid the doctor's prognosis is rather grim..."

He still hasn't accepted my death as the natural course. Oh, he knows it is. But I think I serve as sort of a shield to him from himself. I do hope he'll be all right... He's had such a troubled life. The poor thing's been divorced twice, has trouble keeping a job (he doesn't respond well to the "teeming hordes of idiots" who apparently plague our blessed earth. The wrong ones never bothered me, just the antagonistic ones). But I hold no grudges.

"Oh, my dear boy, I'm fine. My time's come, that's all. I-"

I cough, that's what I do. It's never fun being sick, but one can't focus on the negatives.

"I... Son, I've some words that I'd meant to share with you long ago. I should have, but I always thought you wouldn’t take them seriously. I-"

I cough again.

"I wrote them down on that sheet on paper by the bed stand. I'd like you to ... read them aloud. And know that I always love you."

Lucifer goes over to the table and picks the paper up. He begins to read, and I think I just notice a tear going down his cheek. The big softy...

"Enjoy
My dearest son, it now appears, my time is nearly through.
My race is run, my soul's worn out, I fear I must leave you.
But do not lament my passing, I've lived a wondrous life.
And the secret I’ll tell you now, to help you through your strife.

Enjoy, my child, enjoy, enjoy, Enjoy this great, grand world!
Enjoy the stars, enjoy the sea, and sail with sails unfurled!
Enjoy the song that life does sing, for Nature's hard, but wise.
Enjoy Her wonders, great and small, from set to each sunrise.

Make every moment always better than the one before.
Enjoy each dish that life serves up and always ask for more.
No matter where you go in life, no matter what you do,
Enjoy the people, places, and things, and they'll enjoy you too.

All the worries, all the cares will only bring you down.
Swim for the wrong reasons, and you'll find you always drown.
You must enjoy the nectar that each second can always bring.
You simply have to look for each joy of which I sing.

Life is not a challenge, it's not a task or test;
Life is meant to be enjoyed, don't worry about the rest!
So when you slip and stumble, please don't cry my boy.
Just laugh and keep on going, relax and just enjoy."

The sun set.