A Bridge between Here and There

#WordPrompt

He finally reached the bridge after a journey of many years.

He always knew he would get here one day, but now he didn’t feel he prepared himself well enough for this moment. Did he really want to cross the bridge to a new life now that he was here?

He looked at the lush foliage of the trees where he stood listening to birds singing. Beautifully coloured flowers abounded and the sky above was a vivid blue.

He sat down on a rock near the bridge, thinking back on the life he was leaving. He pondered on the challenges he had faced; the people he had met; those who had inspired him; those angered him and had made him look at himself.

He remembered the joy of his first grandchild being handed to him who had snuggled into his chest. He recalled marvelling at the exquisite child who slept so peacefully in his arms.

He thought of the terror when he realised his wife was dying and how was he ever going to manage without her.

He thought of his friend, also dead now, who had stood side by side with him during the war to rescue his country from invaders.

There was the anger of the stupidity of some people who squandered what they had been given when so many went without. His boss, who had stabbed him in the back after he had given so many years of servitude only to be dismissed without benefits.

He thought of his son, daughter in law and grandchildren he was leaving behind if he left now. They weren’t taking the journey with him, they were staying.

His eyes looked at the bridge again following its path across the abyss to the new country. There seemed to be a halo of light at the end of the bridge getting brighter and brighter. He squinted as saw someone beckoning to him, he couldn’t be sure but he thought they looked familiar.

Then, he looked down at the withered body in the hospital bed and suddenly felt light hearted and free as he stepped onto the bridge, which was alight with the brilliant hues of the rainbow.

Of course, he understood now – the rainbow bridge to beyond. He could see more clearly now. It was his beloved wife, June, waiting for him at the other end of bridge, her eyes glowing with love with a warm, welcoming smile on her face.

The End

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