Meeting Mr Firth

The End

For the next 30 something years I belonged to this life, to my girls, to my family and friends. I shared every happy moment with them, always trying to keep the sadness locked up somewhere deep inside my heart. Sometimes it would surface and that was the time I just wanted to be alone..and where else if not up our hill? Because I could never feel lonely there. I felt like everything was alright, like we were together again.
Happy moments I had plenty over these years. Seeing my girls become accomplished artists, then having families of their own and fortunately (because that fulfilled Colin's wish) married to amazing men close in age to them. I've had the best sons-in-law and the best grandkids I could have ever imagined.
There were bad moments too, like the time when I lost my mom. But I got over it with the support of my dear daughters and best friend. What would have I done without them..
I loved them all so dearly..but life decided to bring me back to the love of my life one day. My girls, my dearest princesses, they stood by my side until my last breath, when I told them "The time has come at last, my darlings. I want you to know I'm happy and you should think of me being back with your father, watching you from above. I love you both so much. Will love you the same beyond the grave." I asked them to fulfill my last wish and bury me next to their dad. Cathy held her composure better, she was always the stronger one, like her dad. Em had tears in her eyes, which I whipped off gently and went on..

-I wish one more thing..that you wouldn't cry for me. Because I'm going where I belong. Back together with your dad.
-But what should we do when we miss you, mom?
-What I've done for the past 30 years. Come up the hill and talk to us.
-You went there all the time you missed dad?
-Yes. And I've never shed a tear. Because I never felt lonely or sad there..I felt like..
-Like he was there and you could talk to him as if he never left.
-Exactly. Promise me you'd do the same and you'll see it truly works. It takes all loneliness away.
-Alright, mom. We promise.

I reached for the nightstand's upper shelf and too out an envelope, handing it to Cathy..

-I also want you both to promise me you would read this. But no sooner than I am gone..home.
-We promise.. Mom?
-Yes, dear.
-Say hi to dad for us..and tell him we miss him. And love him.. We love you both.
-I love you so much, my darlings. Come here!

I pulled them closer in a group hug. I kissed each of them on the forehead and laid back in bed. I asked them to leave me and come back in the morning. Told them that wasn't goodbye, but it was perhaps a "see you later"..

***

-Cath?!
-Come, Em..
-What's the matter? Had she..
-Yes..she's back where she belongs, I guess.
-Considering home has always meant dad for her.. She's gone home.
-That's why she sent us out..she knew.
-I think so too. She said "see you later". But she never meant "see you in the morning".
-No..she meant "see you on the other side"..
-One day we shall..
-We should do what she asked..
-Read the letter?
-Yes..
-Can I?
-Sure. Read it aloud, please..
-Of course..

"My darlings,

What can I say to you more than I already did during my life? I only wish to say that you should live on. I have come to the conclusion that life after death could mean something only if your life meant something when you lived too.
Life is worth living when you have something to loose. Because then you keep fighting. For the people you love. For your accomplishment. For whatever makes you feel happy. And I've had plenty of people to live for. And the greatest accomplishments in the for of my daughters. So living my life surrounded by such loving people, having so much happiness around me and inside my heart, that was the reason I could never be sorry for leaving the world.
I could say the same about loss. Loss of a beloved one makes you feel like the world ended. But it actually didn't. There comes a day you too will be leaving this world and then you realise that is the moment you hope, even believe you would be back together with your departed beloved ones. That is why I believe love is not something limited to this world but it could reach beyond it. Love is eternal. Perhaps that is why it is so powerful. And I mean all kinds of love for that there are so many but they are all the same in one respect.. They're all immortal. For that who thinks he never loved, you're wrong, my friend. I don't believe there is someone who never felt the love for his parents or for a friend. Romantic love is not all there is. Thought it is one kind of love that is worth experiencing.. But so are them all.
So live your lives through love and kindness because there is no greater happiness than to make others happy. And when the time comes to leave this world and you feel like you leave behind your beloved, then think twice. You've brought them joy.. And some day you should be together again.
Until that time comes for us too, my darlings, whenever you feel sad or lonely just remember my words. Keep this letter at hand and read it again. Think of all the happy moments we had and continue to live for your beloved ones that are still with you. For that your children still need you, your love and support. I hope we shall meet again very far from this day and until we do I want you to keep me there somewhere, in your hearts. Talk to me when you feel like it.. Even if I can't reply, I would hear you.
I love you both so much. I would always do. I would be always watching over you.

With love,
Mom"

************************************

Thank you all for the support and great comments you left me throughout the story. Love you all and hope you're not disappointed in this ending.
I wish I could be done more for this story but I truly though it would be best to bring it to an end both because I reached a point where new ideas seemed worthless and because my university life is getting tougher, leaving me very little free time.
I'm glad I could write this fanfic and literally put my thoughts and fantasies and ideas on paper(digital paper whatsoever). Also glad and grateful that I got readers that appreciated my ideas and I could not thank you enough for that.
I truly feel like using a quote for a kind of triumphant end..

"It is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is perhaps the end of the beginning."

≈ Harry Hart ≈