Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: MEMORY LANE (04/23/20)
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TITLE: Signs Along the Pathway Home | Previous Challenge Entry
By LINDA GERMAIN
04/30/20 -
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“Here’s the thing,” she confessed to the visitor she called Pippa Lee, “everything I’ve ever said or done, and every person I’ve ever known seems to be on a memory loop that runs across my mind day and night. I cannot sleep. It’s maddening.”
Pippa did not contribute as much as she listened. Today, things changed. All kinds of wisdom and advice spilled out.
“I’ve heard that just before you die your life flashes in front of your eyes, but this has been going on with you for months. Maybe that’s significant.”
Marcie pondered the fresh revelation for a second and then took a sip of tea from her good china cup. The visitor did likewise. She was most accommodating and reassuring. Lately, Marcie was having trouble with getting her shirt buttoned right and forgetting if she mailed the rent or locked the door. Sleep deprivation played cruel tricks on her thinking. It was nice to have someone to help straighten out a few things.
Suddenly, in a dramatic light bulb moment, Marcie yelled, “Hey, now I know who you are! We played together as children, but then you went away.”
Pippa Lee smiled, seemingly overjoyed. There was finally a connection.
She confirmed to Marcie, “I was there when your perfect family broke up, and you had to go live with those awful other people.”
Marcie felt familiar hot tears begin as long ago images tried to re-break her fragile heart.
“A lot happened after that. I ran away and had to make it on my own with no help, taking menial jobs, and finally working my way through school. I met a handsome man who vowed his forever love, but he turned out to be a liar. I had a baby…”
She stopped, confused with the onslaught of remembering.
“…didn’t I?”
Pippa knew the story, but just sat quietly waiting.
Marcie leaped out of her chair once more to pace. Words tumbled out faster than she could string them together with coherence.
“I had a great job and then had the accident, and then Mama died…or was it Grandma?”
She paused briefly to consider who passed away but seemed to deem it of no consequence and rushed on to share with Pippa.
“I won a contest, and traveled to another country, was in a movie, bought a horse, joined a church.”
Exhausted, she sat down again to face her old friend from childhood. Pippa stared right into her eyes with new depths of understanding.
“Listen to me, Marcie. You forgot that God has given you a sound mind. I don’t know where you’re getting all this senseless confusion about everything. Yes, memories are coming so fast they are nearly knocking you down. It’s natural to happen at the end of your life on earth.”
“Oh, I see now! Before the Lord calls me home, I have a chance to ask forgiveness, make amends, and get things in order. That life-flashing-before-our-eyes saying is more real than I realized. Since this flood of recall is slowing down a little, maybe my time to take care of business is limited.”
Marcie got up from the table that was placed directly in front of a mirror. She headed for her comfortable chair to read her well-worn Bible and pray. There were a few people she planned to call and some vital lists to make later.
For now, she felt compelled to write an urgent and enlightening entry in her daily journal.
When I was young, I had an imaginary playmate named Pippa Lee. We looked exactly alike. I saw her today, but she will not be back. I believe the Lord has reminded me that I am not a child anymore. I need to think about eternal matters. Everything is so clear. Also, I learned something outstanding about the timing of unexpected flashes of memories. After some rest, I know what to do to get on track before going home. I am so incredibly tired. It probably won’t be long now.
She was desperate for sleep and closed her eyes right where she sat. Her pen rolled onto the floor. The next phase began.
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