My mom, my, brother, and I were driving up this cliffside with a beautiful view that opened up to the ocean.
Everything felt perfect. Everything was perfect. In my mind, I was on vacation in a tropical country — and in paradise. Life was good.
We got out to stroll the streets, and that’s when things turned astray. A man with an assault rifle showed up. He shot and killed my brother. Then my mom. And finally me. That’s when I woke up, grateful to be alive.
I still think about that dream. And I tell myself something like that would never happen. A soft voice whispers: but it could. I don’t live in fear of death. At least, I try not to. Instead, I try to live in the ineffable glory of what is. My life. Today. This moment.
And if I die at midnight? I’m okay with that. As long as I die happy.
“Wherever you are, be completely there.” — Thomas Oppong