I lost my father young, to a heart attack. I think,
what if that happens to me?
Come along with me on my fantasy.

I sink back into a big old rocker on the wood front porch rocking rhythmically, back, and forth… back and forth, ever so gently, creaking on planks of wood, I drift off.

I travel through a tunnel of time, whirling like a snowflake, spiraling downward. I see a light, descend slowly, gently, touch down. I’m in a foreign place, somewhere celestial among the stars.

I look around getting my bearings. From down on the red, barren, cratered surface, I believe I’ve landed on Mars.

Trumpets sound in the distance, then – closer, louder. An army of Martians appears dressed in full regalia, uniformed in loden green, adorned with shiny brass buttons. The commander steps forward from the crowd. Tall and robust, he BOOMS : “I AM THE KING OF MARS! I’ve come to tell you that you have died! You did not take care of your only body!”

But I’m stuck on his words, – ‘I’m really dead?’ I think back to my life.

Yes. I took it for granted, sure I had forever. I never thought I could lose it. Not yet. Not so young.

“BUT” – King continues, – “You are fortunate! A recent treaty between Mars and Earth bestowed upon me the power to grant you a second chance at life,” I think back, realize all that I had when I lived. Was I too rushed to savor it?

“You mean I can have back what I always had, – laugh with my friends, smell the fresh cut grass, yellow
daffodils, hear blue jays chirp?”

“YES. – BUT!” he holds up his hand like a corner STOP sign. “NOT SO FAST! THIS TIME, you will have to EARN IT.“

Looking back, I realize that all of life is a quid quo pro. ‘To have that, you have to do this.’ Little is given to us for free.

“By ‘earn’ my health do you mean take care of my body, the way I take care of my plants, nourish them with food, water, and sunshine?” He nods his Martian head.

I agree!
“YES! I WILL!”

But then I hesitate. If I didn’t do it the first time, why do I think I would this time?

Just then a bolt of lightning lights up the heavens, followed by a loud clap of thunder and the arrival of: “the Queen, her majesty,” who now stands before me. “I’ve come to help you,” she announces. I’ve taken a liking to you. My family’s out in the galaxy fighting for our planet. You would fill a void for me. I’m rooting for you to have your life back. I want to take you under my wing. With this, the entire Martian Parliament rise to their feet in a standing ovation applauding thunderously, cheering me on.
I feel un-alone. I look around. I have a sense of family. I feel, “I CAN DO THIS!’

It was then that the magic set in. The gift of life I had all along but took for granted I now see as precious. I wore blinders, forgot that as I dashed off to a picnic with friends, someone else lay in a hospital bed.

“YES! I WILL!”

Then, with my words, the red, barren planet springs to life. I stand instead amid a watercolor painting, surrounded by tall oaks flanked by lush red roses, buttercup yellow daffodils, a place where blue Jays flit to wood post fences, and butterflies gently kiss perfumed petunias.

The air is crisp and cool with fresh new life. King turns, trailed by his long cape and entourage, and walks toward the distant horizon.

Then I realize, “WAIT!! STOP! COME BACK!! WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?” With that the heavens open up and a giant pointer finger drops down from the skies, beckoning, silently, “Pssst… COME ALONG, take my hand, FOLLOW ME…”

Back on earth- The snow is falling thick and steady, glistening under lamp posts. Bushes look like popcorn balls. Familiar streets are disguised, now a quiet blanket of peace. The winter wonderland outside reminds me of the peace I seek on the inside, for my health.

How can I prevent what happened to my father from happening to me?
Stay tuned for the answer.