The Afterlife…

 

Thoughts of this day in the year of the pandemic

Seems like another day. After a few 2-hour naps and bizarre dreams the sun comes up again.

Blink as the screen flashes asking for a password before I can enter the digital world. Someone got shot, the president said something stupid (fact check), a wreck on the highway, some people are digging through rubble trying to find life, more outbreaks of virus and too many names to make t-shirts for protest. An ancient album has been remixed and released again and some teenager is missing. There are wild fires and locust and now bubonic plague. Some guy flew across the desert hanging on balloons and wonder what happened to the balloons. A boat full of cows sank, a cat toy looks like a fish hopping and the ‘Voice of Amerika’ and ‘the Stars and Strips’ are being canceled plus the diversity training (who needs that?). Some celebrity is walking on a beach in a bikini until; and all the trailers for the new movies look alike. The fantasy sports don’t release the tension of virtual schooling. Cities around the world are protesting and police are describing “situations”, “incidents”, “events”, “occurrences” or other terms for people who have been confined for months with no school, no work, no pay, no vacation, sweltering heat, no entertainment for distraction disturbed by repetitive use of too many weapons.

Wash off yesterdays sweat for the forecast today is cooler. Step outside and it is. Our star is bright but the air is palpable under a mask.

The morning ride has the usual participants of baby pushers, dog walkers, and runners going nowhere. As long as they smile at the cowboy and I don’t get crushed by the passing driver on their phone then the trip will be worth the effort.

Since everyday is a holiday, seems strange the asphalt is so crowded. I a wait my turn for safe passage in the gauntlet to arrive unharmed.

 Pulling up my handkerchief to protect me from the invisible enemy I grab my zip cart and scanner to venture into humanity that holds sustenance. Blueberries, V-8, popcorn and hydration but no special treats fill the basket, until a familiar voice breaks the mundane journey of the aisles. Always good to see a person who may be smiling but you never know when everyone is wearing a face diaper.

Surviving the journey, time to feed the hungry faces and revel in the silence, but still the digital world beckons.

There might be a new baby picture or a cute animal event or some quote that is supposes to sway a meaning that will change today. If the phone rings it will Amy who wants to check on my extended car warranty.

Some get frantic being quarantined without greeting friends at the local watering hole for a few laughs or lies while drowning in overpriced water, but that is not acceptable in this time.

For with all that life offers everyday, the focus is on how many and what can you do to avoid death. Wear a mask (it is almost time for Halloween), social distancing (no slow dancing) and wash you hands and face and toes and check behind your ears. What do you do when the person walks by with their mask on their chin?

Then go home and feed the flame, watching phone videos and listening to talking heads. Believe what you want until you turn off the devices for the night and dream sweet dreams.

So the question for today is: “How long will you be dead?”

After life is as difficult to comprehend as Pi. Eternity goes on forever, but what is forever?

We have some idea of how long we last on this planet from our history in gravestones. From our first gasp for air to our last exhaust are recorded, but what happens afterlife will be a mystery of fantasy and faith until…