The roommate I never wanted
On March 1, 2024, there was a knock on my door. I opened it to find a tall individual in a long black cloak, his beady eyes staring back at me from under a hood. His gleaming scythe seemed so out of place on that winters day. “I am the grim reaper,” he said, as he picked up the bags at his feet and entered my home. “Show me to my room.”
“Your room?” I asked shakily. Certainly he wasn’t here to stay!
“Yes. My room. I will be staying with you for a while. I haven’t decided how long yet. Perhaps a few days, or if I like it here, I may decide to stay for a few months, or possibly even a few years. We’ll see. Pack your bags, though, because when I leave, you’re coming with me.”
“Coming with you? But I’m not even 50 yet! Surely you have come for someone else, someone with a little more life experience than I have.”
The grim reaper looked at my face, and then down at the information on his claim ticket. “No. You are clearly the one I am here to pick up. There is no mistake. Now please show me to my room. It has been a long journey, and I could use some rest.”
I had no choice. The grim reaper moved in, and once he was here, there was no moving him out. My doctors told me that stage 4 gave him the right to stay, that there was nothing they could do to send him on his way. They told me they could give me a cocktail that may delay his departure date, but there was no guarantee. I could possibly stay in my own home longer, but the cocktail would make me sick, and eventually, no matter what we tried, he would tell me it was time to go, and I would have no right to say no.
He has been in my home almost two years now. Sometimes, he’s loud and obnoxious and continuously reminding me that I need to say my goodbyes because it’s almost time to go. Sometimes, he stays in his room, and I barely remember that he’s there, but he never moves out. One of these days, he will decide that it is time to move on, and I will go with him, because I have no other choice.
“Dying Authentically” is free to all. If you would like to support my writing financially, you may do so through my GoFundMe. Thank you.
That same reaper has visited me. But ive locked him in a closet. Now I know he's still there but I don't choose to acknowledge him. He doesn't decide how I spend my days, what my mood is. But still I know...some day....
What a terrible situation to be in Becks. I have heard some people describe this as feeling like they have one foot in this world and one foot in the grave. I just want you to know that that you have touched the hearts and minds of so many people who care about you and we are sending positive energy and thoughts your way everyday. In return you have shared good humor and honesty and show us grace. None of us can keep the grim reaper from claiming us eventually, but we can (and you are) putting up a good fight.