The Day I Died

You always hear people say if I knew I was dying I would do something on my bucket list each day, but I lived a long happy life and did all the things I wanted. Just to have lived at all I see as being remarkable.

I didn't know at the time, but I went to sleep that night never to wake again as Amy Wilson.

It all started like a dream, a bit hazy, not being able to focus on one thing right away. When I could finally focus I saw a room much like you would see at the DMV, but on a much larger scale. People were being guided to a line. A very long line. You could see annoyance on many people's faces. That's when I noticed that some like me, were in their pajamas, others had blood on them, some were bald and sickly and most just looked normal in everyday clothes. I grew suspicious because my dreams never lasted this long. I asked the person who seemed to be in charge, the guy who was guiding people to the never ending line, "What's going on?" He looked at me with what seemed like pity. He said, "Hello, Amy. My deepest apologies, please continue onward and take a number. When your number is called proceed to the desk for more information."

I knew immediately I was dead. I could try to deny it wasn't true or accept the reality. I couldn't deny what I was seeing, it felt too real although this isn't what I expected when I departed the living world. So I told the bouncer, "This isn't what I thought the underworld would look like. Where's the boat that's supposed to take you to heaven or hell?" Bouncer guy smirked and replied, "You read too much." I raised one dark eyebrow at him, "Impossible." I told him. As I grabbed my number from the machine, I heard him say, "We remodeled. Must stay current with the times."

Well that made sense. This is what people were now used to. My number was forty-six...great. Mid eye-roll bouncer guy startled me. "It goes by quicker than you would think." He pointed to a chair that had a little boy, fidgeting and then poof he disappeared. "Whoa, Where did he go?" I asked. "Denial. Unfinished business you could say." Was all the information bouncer guy was willing to give up. He ushered me to a seat to wait my turn. Turns out this place was way more effective than any DMV. There was barely a minute in between a person's number being called. Although there was a lot of people disappearing and numbers were being called constantly, people were also appearing at the back of the line.

Forty-six said the loveliest voice I've ever heard, it was almost musical. I found my way to the desk of a woman around age thirty. She sat straight and proper. You just knew she was from a long ago time. She stared at me for what seemed like forever, but it was only ten seconds. "Name?" She asked although I knew she already knew it. Bouncer guy proved that. This must be a test or something. I suppose they would like to know if you would lie about such a minuscule thing. "Amy Wilson." I told her. Then she raised a tablet looking device and said, "Amy Wilson. Acceptance. Approved. Worthy." When she said the last word the tablet lit up. "Place your hand here. You will arrive at a gate as you already guessed. Knock three times and a pad will appear. Place your thumb so it can scan your print. Then you will receive further information about how to proceed. Have a wonderful after or new life." I placed my hand on the tablet and was instantly standing in front of a very large gold gate. I had no idea where she expected me to knock, so I figured up against one of the vertical poles. As I did so it didn't feel as one would imagine. My knuckles banged against a flat concrete feeling wall. Then a bell chimed once and out of the air came a small device that was to scan my thumb. I let my thumb rest on the cold surface. Another bell chimed and a man appeared in front of me. He asked, "Do you seek an after-life or new?" I was puzzled by this question. "Ah, You need an explanation. To some a great opportunity is presented to them, when you leave your earthly body. If you are proven worthy you may be given the chance for a new-life or an after-life in heaven. You Amy Wilson are worthy, Why? I do not know. We don't make the rules we merely follow his word."

"You're talking about reincarnation?" I asked him.

"Why, of course. Anything is possible. Though we do have to ask which option you want. Free will and all, even up here, but make no mistake choosing to be reborn is a risk. You may be born into poverty, royalty, the middle class, it may be a long or short life. A risk some are willing to make. Your other option is after-life living in heaven forever. So, what will it be?"

This has to be the hardest choice I would ever make, but I knew. My decision made the second he asked. I looked at him and said, "What is life without risk?" He smiled the brightest dang smile I've ever seen. Then he put his hand on my forehead, a pain started like I was being suffocated in need of air. The last thing I heard was, "He knew you would say that."

My next breath came forced as I let out a cry. The beginning of my new life had begun.