Embrace

Embrace(Tara Hilton) I was 32 when I died. The pain of missing my four year old daughter was unbearable but with time faded to a dull ache. I can't tell how long ago it was but I felt like I'd been sitting under this tree for an eternity.

I used to spend my time on earth wishing I could find a sunny spot to sit and read uninterrupted for hours. So perhaps this was my heaven. People I knew once upon a time came and went and it was always such a happy reunion. I felt such a strong temptation to go with them, but something always held me back. Today was a perfect Summer's day and as I lazed about reading Pride & Prejudice, one of my favourites when alive, I became aware of someone walking towards me. I looked up and shaded my eyes against the bright sun. An old woman with a shock of white curly hair - still long and thick despite her years - came into focus. Her form was slim but slightly hunched as though she'd grown tired of carrying herself all these years.

I could always recognise people as soon as they came into sight as strangers never seem to come this way so at first I was puzzled. But as she came closer a shiver went through me and then I knew. I knew this woman walking towards me was my own small girl.

She stood before me and hesitated - not quite willing to believe what she was seeing. I knew no such hesitation as I jumped up and ran into her arms. So much had changed since we'd last held each other and for now at least our roles were reversed - she a woman who had known so much life and I a young mother who had known so little.