Millennia

1

Catherine came to visit Michael as usual, it was her third visit. The night was cold, it was late winter. Catherine was as excited as her two other previous visits, one was in summer and the other one was in early fall.

She tried to cool off the frightened man standing in front of her. Michael was frightened and awestruck. Catherine’s voice was quite friendly when she said, “Michael, don’t worry. Why are you so afraid, man? Relax. I’m your friend. I came to help you and your people.” Catherine took his two cold hands on her warm palms and reassured him, “Let’s sit down and talk. Why are you so afraid of me? I won’t hurt you. Don’t you trust me?”

“No, I’m not afraid of you. You’re very nice. But you always remind me of my late wife. She was as nice as you are. A cursed disease snatched her away from me. Do you know young lady, what is the most painful grief of my life? I, myself, am a physician, but couldn’t save her life.” Michael broke down.

“Michael, don’t blame yourself . You tried your best, didn’t you? Then why are you always blaming yourself? Michael, death is an inevitable part of our lives. You can’t just avoid it. You have three children, you’ll have to take good care of them. So, stop blaming yourself and do what you should do. Now, let’s sit down and start our work. Ok?”

“ Ok. Come lady, sit down here.” Michael directed Catherine to a chair near his work-table. She seated and then Michael took a sit opposite to her.

One blue candle was burning, giving a yellowish white light, Catherine thought of the first visit, that day there was the same type of candle burning on the mantle piece. There was one little fly, flying around glowing flame, Catherine still could hear the "zzzzz" sound from that poor fly’s wings. The wings which turned to ashes..."From dust you come and to dust you return".... Death is a part of our life, yet we mourn.

Catherine wiped her eyes and cheeks to straighten her mind and balance her emotions. Then she said,"Yes Micheal, tell me about your experiences in your budding years as you promised me last time."

*****