His family and close friends had left - and now he was alone in the hut.
Alone with his thoughts - reflecting upon his life. He would remain in
the hut until his Spirit was lifted out of his body. Elija was not afraid.
How could he be when his brave ancestors had gone in the same way.
He had lived a good life. He was not as old as some in his tribe that had
gone before him - but he had been a respected elder. Now his body had
an affliction - and the members of the tribe had agreed that it was his time.
Even as a boy he had known how it happened - that when one of them was
considered to be at the end of his life - that one would be placed in the hut
reserved only for that purpose. He had been made comfortable - and after
the others had bid him farewell - he would be left alone.
And so Elija was alone now. He had been given medicine by the tribe
doctor - herbs that numbed the pain but not his thoughts. He had said
goodbye to his three sons - their mother had died giving birth to the
youngest. He was proud of how they had grown up to be brave and
strong - yet kind to their wives and children. Elija had taught this to
them when they were young. They had learned how to hunt from their
father - and had provided well for their families. He had been fortunate
enough to enjoy his grandchildren and could see that they had inherited
many positive traits from their grandmother. He did have a feeling of
sadness - though - that he would be leaving them - but like any other
members of the tribe Elija had always prepared himself for this day -
and they believed that their Spirits would meet again.
He closed his eyes and tried to clear his mind so that in the time he had
left he could control his thoughts and make an assessment of his past. He
needed to think about any mistakes he might have made or regrets that
he had - and try to work them out before his passing.
Elija had always been honest in his dealings with his people. He knew
he was not considered to be the most respected warrior - or the brightest
of the men - yet he had held his own in the tribe and his family did what
was expected of them. His sons had not caused trouble while they were
growing up - and had become good hunters and took care of their families.
Then his thoughts wandered from the life that was passing in front
of him - and he began to think of things that were strange to him.
It seemed as if he could see how the life of his people might one
day change. He felt as if he were in a dream - yet his mind was clear
and he knew that he was awake.
He began thinking of his people - not those that existed now and not
evern his children's children - but he could see that one day the world
would be different from the one he had lived in. People would
multiply and inhabit the far corners of the Earth. Life would be
better - yet more complicated. Men and women would change and
develop skills that could not be imagined. Now existence was family,
hunting and death. But in the new world Elija thought he could see
people doing many things for food instead of hunting. And there
would be time for life to be enjoyed. It was true that his people had
ways of having fun. They had invented games - and storytelling had
been part of their life for years. Elija saw in this 'dream' incredible
advancements - making life in the future completely different from
the one he was now departing.
But in spite of these advancements - exciting as they seemed - Elija
felt as if there was a cloud hanging over the future. Now there was a
unity - and fair treatment of all - yet in this cloud he thought he could
see a world where all men were not treated equally. Of course there
was a need for leaders - but aside from that his people had always
agreed that each person was as good as the other.
There was something else that kept drifting into his 'dream.' It was
not about fighting among men. That was difficult to avoid and that
was a problem that had to be worked out between the conflicting
parties. No - this was something very different. Something almost
unimaginable. While on hunting trips he and his tribesmen had slept
on the ground at night and had gazed up at the stars. They were in
awe of the heavens and never dared think of any connection between
what lies above and their own lives. But now as Elija lay dying - he
had visions that sometime - many lifetimes removed from his own -
of men going to the stars. He didn't know how this would happen -
but thinking about it made him feel good.
Elija didn't know where this 'dream' was coming from and he had no
idea why he had been chosen to have it. Perhaps it was something
that happened to others in their last moments - but there would be no
way of knowing. He only knew that he had been give these thoughts
and he was honored. The idea that life would improve for those in
years to come gave him comfort and a sense of peace in his last moments.
Elija knew that now it was time. He had done what he believed was
right - and he did not fight it. But even now he wondered if his people
and those who would follow would know a better life. He had studied
the skies at night - and had felt something inside himself. He had thought
of it as - a strange presence. He knew that his thoughts were only as primitive
as the life his people lived - and yet maybe he had a special way - of seeing
beyond. Even as a boy he had looked at the stars and wondered - wondered
if he was a part of a plan that would go farther than he could see. He felt
calm - and a feeling of peace came over him as he closed his eyes for the
last time.
Elija's last thought was that he was beginning the Journey from one life -
into the next one.
No comments:
Post a Comment