A Decade After

As the day broke it seemed a bit different from the usual daily grind that occurred. His normal grogginess was snapped short by the realization of his impending departure. He sat on his bed just staring at a half empty box of items and personal effects that he would be taking along on his journey. He realized that he has less than 24 hours to go before leaving his birthland. Many things were distracting his concentration to make judgments on what to take and what to leave behind. A week prior, he had already sealed 3 boxes and marked them. Two of the boxes had a note taped on with a message saying: “may be disposed of” and the last one said, “I want to see this again.”

He often had to stop due to the swirl of thoughts popping in and out in his mind. He was bringing life into this world and how would it turn out? What will happen to his life? Where was he going? What would he do? How would he break the news to his parents? And on the other hand what and whom was he leaving behind? Was it the right thing to do? He was nervous but excited in an uncanny way. Now he took a swig of beer that was beginning to warm up from the tropical heat. He took a long drag from the cigarette burning in the ashtray beside his bed and continued on with the task at hand.

It was late afternoon by now and a queue of visitors start flowing in to bid their last goodbyes. Family members and friends, one by one they came and at times as one was leaving the next would arrive. It was quite a bizarre scene and in the back of his mind the box was still half empty. Later in the evening a whole pack of former colleagues arrived bringing spirits and laughter. They decided to throw him a last minute going away party. Arrrrgh! Just what he needed. So into the night they stayed and exchanged stories of about who he was and what he did. They reminded him of many people and events that he affected. More beer was being passed around; more stories were being told. It was now 7 hours before take off, he had to go back and forth to his room and his guests so he could seal the box. They finally had to call it a night at 3:00 am…by this time inebriated and tired. The last items were thrown in though not full, the box was sealed.

He caught an hour of restless sleep in time to take his last shower and bid his niece and nephews a last goodbye. His brother and 2 friends rushed on the still dark highway toward the airport. It was 5 am. Last farewells were said, and he was on his own. A few hours later it was time. He got on the aircraft with a heavy heart. His window seat had a view of the tarmac, as the engines were fired his hands got cold. The thrust of take off was quick; soon he felt the wheels of the plane become airborne. Now his heart sank as he watched his city get smaller by the minute and as soon as they broke through the clouds it was all gone. It was just the beginning. He left ten years ago today.

Is the box now full?