The Satin Pillow

Days all ran together. Was grief this overpowering to everyone? Somehow she didn't think so. Others seemed capable of going on with life. They returned to their jobs. They went home and did things they always had; like making a meal, eating, watching some television or reading, sleeping.

Why couldn't she manage to do these everyday things again? From the very moment the doctor so sorrowfully announced, "I'm sorry for your loss," life changed. She didn't eat. Food was tasteless. She didn't work. She sat in front of a television, yet saw and heard nothing. Her world was a deep, dark void with no ceiling, floor, nor walls. She couldn't sleep since he'd left her side. A bed without his presence was not restful.

A UPS delivery man was on her porch. She took the package wondering what might be inside. She'd ordered nothing. She carefully opened the brown box with no return address.

As she loosened the tape, a distinctive, familiar odor escaped. Tears flowed endlessly from her eyes. Her heart ached soul deep. A cry of sorrow escaped her lips from deep down. She removed the pillow with a scream of anger at being left alone. When tears were exhausted, she picked up the pillow where she had thrown it across the room. She removed the pearl colored satin pillowcase placing it on the pillow. In the bottom of the box was a partially used bottle of cologne her daughter had used to put his scent on the pillow.

Lying down she was bewildered at the softness of the satin next to her skin. She close her eyes, thanked God for such a thoughtful daughter to give her back a small piece of the soul she had buried. With his scent in her nostrils, she closed her eyes and slept.

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