I expected a beast with big fangs or a hooded reaper to come for me.
But death appeared as a monk in amber colored robes. A warm face and compassionate eyes, so he was not what I was expecting at all. The fear of dying was something I couldn't deny. But in those final moments, I felt strangely calm. Calm as anyone could be as death stands at the foot of their bed.
He was silent. A gentle witness to the life oozing out of me. But as the time grew closer he spoke.
"If you could remember only one sight from your life, what would it be?"
I sifted through the files in my memories and said.
"In the morning, I love to see my wife when she's sleeping. She looks like and angel. And it makes me smile." I said.
"So shall it be." He proclaimed as the vision engulfed my senses. I was back in that moment. Seeing her laying there breathing softly. So peaceful. The vision permeated my senses like a parting gift.
"If you could remember only one taste, what would it be?"
"Ahh, icecream! Yeah chocolate icecream with nuts and whipped topping." I said easily.
"So shall it be." And I felt like a kid devouring that sweetness for one last time. Chocolatey goodness. Mmmm.
"If you could remember only one touch, what would it be?"
I felt tears in my eyes. Touch. I thought of sex, the first kiss, warm fuzzy blankets...But what I chose was, the sensation of sunshine touching my skin. Within seconds I was warm and being bathed in that energy from the sun. So many days I felt that feeling, but now I savored it. The monk helped me to relive it one last time.
"If you could remember only one scent, what would it be?"
"Salty sea air...I love that smell." I said as the sensation wafted over me gently.
So many days by the ocean, wish I had more time to enjoy it.
He patiently waited as I re-lived the experience.
"If you could remember only one sound, what would it be?"
"There was a time, I was sitting by the river with my daughter.
A dragonfly brushed me as it flew by and I jumped. She laughed, such pure laughter, it was like music." It made me smile just to think of it.
"So shall it be." He proclaimed and it filled me with joy.
All the fear was gone from me and my heart felt light and free. Death was my gentle escort as I drifted from this world. The best gift, was that the last thing I experienced from this life, was the sound of my daughter laughing.