Forgetfulness

Harsh beeping cut through the soft murmuring of the family as they sat gravely around the hospital bed. Flicking through each family member, I finally rested my gaze on the elderly woman on the hospital bed, laying palely, but content with her family. An old woman who has lived a long and loving life, surrounded by her children, her grandchildren, and even some great-grandchildren. Reaching into my cross-body bag I grabbed out a notebook and pen and walked over to where more information about the old woman, flipping through countless pages I finally rested on a blank one; Greta Lumberg, ninety-four, heart attack. Ironic, a heart attack is what will give her to me. I made sure to take note that she was surrounded by her loved ones and lived long and well. Returning my notebook and pen to my bag, I turned myself back towards Greta, looking down at my watch, almost up. Stepping closer towards her bed, I leaned in close, giving her a subconscious whisper of warning that her time is just about done. A kiss of death it is called but is something not everyone has the luxury of having.

The holding of hands and soft confessions came, curiously, I always watched, but never listened. It was not my place to, these confessions were not for me, but I still watched the ritual of finally letting go of long ago secrets and grudges they barely remembered. Finally came the silence, which is where my job begins. Carefully I rested my hand onto, the now gone, Greta, in where she was guided to where she needs to be. I have always wondered how that process works in detail but my level of work doesn`t allow for me to know, I just help the deceased souls get released from their physical bodies.

Standing outside of the hospital, I pulled out my compass to see where my next assignment is when behind me a tear-filled and mourning family exited the hospital behind me. They looked familiar, there were children with their children, and those children even had some children too. I couldn`t quite place where I recognized them but the familiarity was there, dismissing them, I turned and headed for my next assignment.