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     Two days ago, two beautiful days ago, I was sitting outside my sunroom. I remember the sun’s rays beaming down onto my face, warming me up as I sat in my rocking chair in the sunflower patterned afghan my granddaughter gave me for my birthday the day before. I remember reading the card she gave me with the afghan. It had a piece of reflective foil on the inside flap to reflect an image of myself to me. I’m not quite sure whether she was trying to prove to me that though I was aging, I was still a young, vibrant, beautiful woman in her eyes, or that I was getting old and decrepit and needed to be put away. Anyone could hope for the first idea, but everyone knew that the second one was the truth, so here I am. I’m put away like an old useless dog, but not in a home, I’m far too young for a home. It took me awhile to get here though, switching from place to place. Either I moved because something happened to the residence or money pushed me out. I think we have time, I’ll tell you about it.

      For about a year I moved from here to there, my body having suddenly transformed into a package, carrying only unneeded knowledge and unwanted wisdom. Eventually my family gave up on me and stuffed me back into my house. They suddenly weren’t my family anymore, just some old acquaintances I once knew way back when. My oldest son had come over to visit one day to check up on me. He was such a dear, indeed he still is. He brought over this electronic device, which he and his brother were going to install so he was positive that I’d be ok living by myself. He stayed for a few hours to talk and enjoy some pie before leaving. He had work in the morning and he had to drive a great distance to get home. I understood as I watched him leave. Little did either of us know that that would be our last goodbyes.

      That night, as I slid back into my house from sitting out on the porch that rested just outside the sunroom, I went to my room and got ready for a bath. I remember the warm water against my skin and how relaxing it was to be in complete silence. Nothing around me but warmth yet, unknown to me, there was someone in my house. I’m afraid I had forgotten to lock the door before undressing and slipping into the tub; I hadn’t quite been myself after the sudden rejection from my family. After drying and dressing myself, I walked out of the bathroom and into my bedroom. As I turned on the dim, old light in my room, the light lit the room with a soothing glow, yet that night it was different. There was someone in my room. They had muscled past me standing in the doorway and ran out. I was scared beyond belief only to find that it wasn’t just him in my home. After I called and the police arrived, he came out held a gun to my head and pushed me out as a hostage. I remember seeing the flashing lights of red and blue and feeling the cold metal against my left temple. I remember going partially blind and hearing a lot of loud arguing. Then it all went black as the man, fed up and sparing no mercy, pulled the trigger.

     I’m now in a much better place than that of my old home or any of those old retirement homes. I’m now away from my unloving family and all the evil acts of crime that exists on earth. Now I’m away at home in heaven.

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