And the Air Smelled of Lilacs

The dying rays of the afternoon sun played peek-a-boo behind the trees outside her window as the white-haired old lady sat in a pale green room filled with fresh lilacs, surrounded by cheery greeting cards offering wishes for a speedy recovery.

In her lap, she held several photographs, which she picked up from time to time with fingers gnarled by time, and held them to her chest.

At one point, a small boy approached and sat beside her. He looked at her face for a moment, and then asked: Are you going away?

“Yes. I am going home.”

Do you live far?

“Oh yes. Very far away.”

“But I am happy that you are here to see me off,” she said with a smile. And after a short while, the boy waved goodbye, and ran off.

The old woman once again picked up the photos.

Before much longer, a young lad of teenage years appeared and sat beside her, just as the young boy had done.

Hi! Are you going away? he asked.

And she repeated the story she had told the young boy.

They chatted a few minutes longer, and then the boy said goodbye.

After a while, the woman’s chin rested on her chest and she appeared to be asleep. From time to time, she would take a deep breath and release it in a heavy sigh.

It was quite a while before she once again picked up a photo, held it to her heart and smiled.

Finally, an older man appeared. They conversed for some time as the old lady showed the photographs she held, telling a story with each one.

The man reached down and brushed several strands of hair that had wandered onto her forehead. Then quite impulsively, she squeezed the man’s hand and thanked him for sharing his time with her.

At that moment, a black limousine arrived. The driver held the door as the old lady entered and sat hidden behind the black-draped window.

*******

When the nursing staff discovered the woman had passed, they contacted her son and except for the removal of medical equipment, the room remained undisturbed until his arrival.

Left in her lap were the photos. Upon close inspection, it could be seen that all were of her son taken at different times in his life.

Just as she wished, he was with her at the end, if only in her heart.