A Metro Ride to Remember

Anthony had always been a dreamer, and as he stood on a Washington, DC Metro station platform on a sweltering hot summer morning in 2005. He couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement for the day ahead. At 25, he was interning at the Federal Reserve while working on his doctoral dissertation.

As he boarded the crowded Metro train, he felt the familiar rush of cool air from the air conditioning, which offered some relief from the oppressive heat. He settled into a corner seat, taking out his notebook to jot down some ideas swirling in his mind. The commute to the Federal Reserve was always a productive time for him, a moment to gather his thoughts and prepare for the day's challenges. However, fate had a different plan for Anthony on that date.

The air conditioning system suddenly malfunctioned. At first, it was a minor inconvenience, but the discomfort became unbearable as minutes turned into a stifling eternity. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and he could feel panic rising around him.

Anthony felt dizzy, disoriented, and as if the train walls were closing in on him. Suddenly, without much warning, he lost consciousness.

He felt himself traveling outside his body, looking down at his limp and lifeless form. It was a surreal but calming experience. For a moment, Anthony forgot about his lifeless body and the commotion on the train. It was like he was watching a sports match as an ambivalent bystander. His mental fog did not allow him to understand the implications of what was occurring on that fateful day!

Luckily, amidst the chaos, the train conductor called 911 since cell phones had not yet been invented.

As all this was happening, Anthony watched a virtual figure approach him. It was his father, who had died when he was 10 years old. His presence was soothing as he whispered, "Anthony, it's not your time to move on just yet. There is still much left for you to achieve in your world.”

Anthony felt a renewed sense of hope emanating from his father's words. Although the afterlife seemed serene, his mission on Earth was far from over. The paramedics operated robotically, without much emotion. They performed CPR and used a strong-smelling substance under his nose to jolt his senses back to life. Not surprisingly, after listening to his father’s words, Anthony began to root for the paramedics working diligently on his lifeless body.

After a long and arduous process, his heart began to beat again, and his body gasped for air. Anthony felt an intense burning sensation in his nostrils, a sign that he was being pulled back into the world of the living.

As the paramedics sat him down on the train’s platform, Anthony realized that death was not something to be feared but embraced as a natural part of his presence on Earth. It was a transition to a world filled with wonders beyond anyone’s imagination. However, wasting the precious opportunity of life suddenly seemed tragic.

With renewed determination, Anthony committed to making the most of his time on this planet. He understood that every moment was a gift, an opportunity to learn, grow, and make a difference.

That allowed him to continue his internship at the Federal Reserve, complete his graduate degree, and begin to formulate a strategy for his career path. His first step was to strengthen his skills by teaching at a university offering him an opportunity to teach Graduate and Undergraduate courses. But as he began his career, he never forgot his father’s optimistic words, that guided him through the rest of his long journey.