This morning, Death greeted another. As he does every minute of every day.
And like he so often does, he submitted no cause, no indication, no whisper of a hint that he was waiting in the wings. As is his way, he seemingly had no regard for the ripple effect that today’s conquest is already having.
Perhaps the most frustrating part of him is that he only allows for one-sided conversations. Regardless of the pleas, he silently stands. It is futile for us to spend too much time questioning… arguing… demanding. But yet, inevitably, he must contend with a barrage of emotions that may never be mollified.
Death gives life its meaning. That is true. He truly has worked out one helluva deal.
We unfold onto this planet. We set a course for ourselves. We assign our values and distinguish our truths. We define our lives accordingly and exemplify that which we hold dear. We interact. We learn. We love. We smile. We cry.
Then one day, Death pulls our straw.
And that is it.
Peace is a good thing. Being ready to greet Death is a nice feeling. But, sometimes, his presence can still be upsetting. Maybe someone wasn’t ready. It’s not to say that they never would have been. But maybe they just weren’t yet. Maybe those he left behind weren’t ready. Although his omnipotent presence is what we sign up for when we breathe our first breath, it takes some people a little longer to realize that.
I stood on the subway platform this morning as a duet sang “Imagine” off-key. I paid them no attention. And then, a voice began belting out “Let it Be.” A guy had asked to sing that one song with them. I would have never pegged him for a singer; yet his voice was so rich and beautiful. As soon as it was over, he left.
And through my tears I could smile.
Soundtrack: The fan.
Lessons from Icarus 
Today is never yesterday indeed! 🙂