Death is not an enemy

I can't know what will take my life or when,

but until then I plan to fully live

and not sit paralyzed in fear of death.

~~~

I have heard many times that courage is simply those who acted despite their fears.

In these turbulent times where the world seems to have nothing to offer us but fear,

we must find the courage to live

or we are but corpses already that have not ceased to breathe.

~~~

I have seen death.

I saw it take a life.

I was the last face the person saw.

I saw the panic, that sudden fear as heart seized and breathe stopped.

I panicked too.

I immediately went into action to aid and bring back the life departing.

But the spirit was gone and did not return.

Released from illness and pain.

~~~

I sat in sorrow for our loss

Full of shame that I wrestled with Death to steal my loved one back.

Because my actions were about me, my loss and my sorrow.

Pain made me selfish.

Death knew his work would have to be done all over again

and waiting would give no gain to the departing spirit.

~~~

I was so angry.

I was lost.

I cried.

But when my tears ran dry,

I realized Death is not an enemy.

Instead, Death was an Escort/Angel of Mercy shepherding those souls too weary to continue in physical form.

He sat with them.

He comforted them.

He allowed them to get comfortable with him.

And when they were ready, took his hand and gave a nod,

He lifted them away from the worldly realm and carried them away to the heavens.

~~~

Death does this time and again,

day by day, hour by hour,

despite being misunderstood and cursed by many.

He doesn't let that stop him from rescuing the weary

and being there for them when their time comes to depart.