The Writing Process
It’s been a while since I put pen to paper, or I suppose finger to keyboard these days. I don’t really know why though. It always came naturally to me. Telling stories that is. I used to entertain my friends with elaborate fantasy when we were kids and it was a simpler time. We would all gather somewhere and come up with special names and costumes then I would think up the objective for our adventures. It was great fun as we just improvised and rolled with it. We never knew quite how it would end up. We would just keep it going for as long as we could till it was time for all of us to go home. These days everything seems so much more confusing and hectic then it did then. Oh hold that thought someone is at the door.
It was just somebody claiming to be from the electric company and trying to save me money on my bill. I’m wise to that scam. Now where was I? Oh yea getting back to writing. I mean I tried to write a novel a few years back but you know after eight hours at the office in addition to an hour commute each way you feel kind of drained. Then of course on weekends there are chores like cleaning and grocery shopping. Plus your friends want to go out to a restaurant or see the latest Hollywood action/comedy/thriller starring Ryan Reynolds and Emma Stone. Hang on phone’s ringing.
Speaking of friends that was just Bob calling to tell me we are all meeting up at Barcade tonight. It’s this bar that has retro video games. Usually a good place to spend a few hours. Getting back to writing though I don’t really have many good ideas. It seems like everything has already been done out there. I mean superheroes are just everywhere. Vampires and werewolves have been done to death. Romance isn’t my thing. And even if it was after my last relationship I wouldn’t want to go there. I’m not ready yet. I suppose mystery is always an option. I used to read mysteries when I was younger. I would devour any book with a whodunit. Wait, just remembered I got to switch over the laundry.
Where was I? Oh yea now I remember, the laundry. So as it turned out the dryer is busted so I had to run to the laundry mat to dry my clothes. While there I was watching the TV screens. Did you know they are doing a reboot of Legends of the Hidden Temple with adult contestants? I remember that show from when I was a kid. I was obsessed with Nicktoons as well. I would love to write something like those old shows. I used to have all kinds of ideas that I would write down. Wish I kept that notebook. It would probably give me some inspiration for today’s writing. Maybe I’ll check Instagram and see what’s happening there. Something on there is bound to get the imagination gears turning.
Wow it’s almost time to go meet the gang at Barcade. I gotta write something here so the day wasn’t a total waste. Oh speaking of waste, I just remembered I wanted to check out that Earth Day special my favorite podcast just dropped. I love listening to those guys.
I can’t believe the day’s gone. I got just enough time now for a quick shower before I head out. I wish I had written something worthwhile today. I know tomorrow I gotta be at my sister’s house. It’s my nephew’s fifth birthday party and I volunteered to help set up. Well, maybe next weekend I’ll write.
The End?
I am so confused. I look around and see me lying on a bed. I look so still, how strange. Why am I looking down on myself and my family and friends? “Hello, Ullam”, a voice says. I spin my head and see a man next to me. His eyes are kind.
“Who is Ullam?”, I ask.
“That is your true name. You will remember soon. It is always jarring when you first leave a body and the amnesia wears off.”
“What amnesia? What is going on? Who are you?”
“Be calm. Everything is as it should be. Your time in your body has simply run its intended course.”
“You mean I’m dead?”
“If you ceased to exist would be having this conversation? The life you chose to experience has come to an end as it does for everyone.”
“Oh look at everyone down there. They are so sad. I’m not gone. I’m right here. Why can’t they hear me?”
“They are too much in grief it is blocking your communication with them.”
“Tell me how to unblock it then.”
“Only they can find their way out of grief and they will in time and then you will be able to reach out to them.”
“That doesn’t seem fair.”
“Why do you consider it not fair?”
“They’re struggling down there. I could help them. Let them know I am okay. I should be allowed to help them when they are most in need.”
“It is when they are most in need that the greatest opportunity for growth becomes present. Helping them would give them no benefit until they help themselves.”
“It is cruel. Are all those in the world of the dead as unfeeling as you.”
“You just still have a limited view of things from your time in your body. They have their own guides who are watching over them. They are in compassionate hands.”
“Does that mean you are my guide?”
“Yes. You will remember soon. We must be going.”
“Going where?”
“Back home.”
“I want to stay here. I want to make sure they will be okay.”
“We can wait a little bit longer.”
“Why was life so difficult?”
“It was the life you chose. You wanted to experience these things because you cannot experience them when you are home.”
“You mean I chose to go through heartbreak and be afraid of all those things and to be around all those irritating people.”
The man chuckles and then smiles broadly. “Yes. Back home there is nothing but compassion and love.”
“Sounds wonderful”, I dryly remark.
The man nods. “It is. But it would grow boring if you did not come here to understand passion, sorrow, uncertainty and courage.”
“So I came to Earth to know how good I have it back home.”
“No, you came to Earth to know the depths of what it meant to exist. And might I add I think you did well in this life.”
I turn back to look at my family and friends still consoling each other. “They still are sad.”
“They probably will be for a time. It is normal. Those on Earth get used to physical sensations and tend to grow dull on the others.”
I reach out to touch the face of my lover. He suddenly looks up and stares at me. I wonder if he can see me. “I’m still right here and I’m alright. I’m being told I have to go but I’ll come back to see you.” I don’t know why I said all of those things but I did. My lover wipes a tears and smiles. “Did he really hear me?”, I ask.
“In a way yes. He caught a glimpse of truth.”
“So I helped him?”
The man smiles again. “In more ways than you currently understand.”
“Then I guess I’m ready to go.”
“Are you sure?”
I nod, slowly. “Will I see all these people again?”
“You knew them before this life. You all decided to come to Earth to help each other learn and to play with one another.”
“Did I do that for them? Was it what we hoped for?”
“As I said yes I believe you did a wonderful job.”
“Then let’s go so I can remember what it was all for.”
The man places his arm around me. “I think you have already begun to remember.” We turn and I linger one last look on those in my life before we walk toward the brightness.
