Noy Phon (family name presented first) leaves Uncle’s body on July 6. Phon is Uncle’s essence. Uncle is unconscious and will remain so throughout his passing.
Phon, being a fan of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, seizes the opportunity to extend his experience. He, a novice for sure, can fly high and fast in his imagination — why not in reality? He is, as yet, unrecorded and at liberty. Phon will be assigned a new purpose when Uncle passes, a cause and effect culmination of his tenure with Uncle, a measure of his worth.
Of the six possible places Phon might end up (four of which are too scary to mention), landing in a human, for now, is at the top of his list. Phon feels promise, due to his new zest to fly, that his essence is well suited to a jet pilot.
Phon visualizes Uncle’s family, living without Uncle’s presence, missing him, desperate and empty until they ripen to future happiness.
No living thing is born with a Forever Stamp affixed. Phon knows this from the get-go, but he also knows that humans wish for forever about as often as they wish for money.
Phon will need a calm and controlled mind to push forward.
A circle gathers around Uncle, holding his hand, reading prayers and chanting to petition his recovery — though all have the expectation that Uncle will slip away. Gentle whispers voicing regard pass from member to member and across Uncle’s silent body.
Within Uncle’s particular group in Cambodia, births are not recorded. Uncle did not count the years of his life. He passed on July 10. He led a decent life — did the best he knew how.
Phon was at liberty four days.
This is a beautiful piece that gave me a glimpse of an alternate reality. I love the calm of this writer and her phrasings, such as “ripen to future happiness,” and “wish for forever about as often as they wish for money.” It left me floating in a peaceful joy. Thank you.