The Funeral Encounter

I was only 10 years old when my father dragged me to a funeral I didn’t want to attend. His friend, someone I had never met, had passed away, and my father thought it was important for me to pay my respects. I reluctantly followed him to the funeral home, my heart heavy with dread.

As we entered the somber gathering, I clung to my father’s hand, feeling out of place among the mourners. He nudged me forward, encouraging me to mingle, but I preferred to hide in a corner, observing the scene with wide eyes.

That’s when I saw him – a man with kind eyes and a gentle smile, who approached me with an unexpected warmth. “Enjoy life, boy,” he said, his voice low and soothing. “Be happy, because I didn’t.” His words struck a chord deep within me, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

Before I could respond, he patted my head and disappeared into the crowd. I was left with a sense of wonder and confusion. Who was this man, and why did his words resonate so deeply?

Later, as we prepared to leave, my father insisted that I say goodbye to the deceased. I hesitated, fearing the unknown, but my father’s firm grip propelled me forward. As I gazed into the coffin, my heart skipped a beat – the man who had spoken to me earlier lay still and silent, his eyes closed forever.

The encounter left me shaken, and the memory of it haunted me for years to come. I struggled with nightmares, fearing the darkness and the unknown. My parents, worried about my well-being, took me to see a psychologist, who helped me work through my fears.

But the truth about that fateful encounter remained a mystery – until the day I discovered that the deceased had a twin brother, identical in appearance but opposite in spirit. It was as if fate had given me a second chance to understand the message the man had conveyed.

With this new knowledge, I began to see the world in a different light. I realized that life was precious, and happiness was a choice. The man’s words, once a source of fear, became a beacon of hope, inspiring me to live life to the fullest.

The funeral encounter, once a traumatic experience, transformed into a turning point in my life. It taught me to cherish every moment and to never take happiness for granted. And though the man was gone, his message lived on, a reminder to appreciate the beauty and wonder of life.

The COUNSELOVE

Abeiku Okai

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