The first time I saw her was at Old miss Daisy's funeral. She radiated an aura so bright that I could not really make out who she was or what she was. She paid no attention to me, perhaps because I was nothing more than a 6 year old girl sitting in a church confused and just thinking about the programme I missed on television while other people grieved around me, the mystery woman was instead looming over dear old uncle George.
The next time I saw her I was 16 and this time I was able to tell who she was. She was dark. She was cold. She was someone who must not be discussed. My blood boiled when I heard her name as she was the one who took away my brother from my life. A man so full of life was drained of it instantly when she led him away. I saw her leading him away into a dark abyss while I watched my brother let out his last gasp of breath. She paid no attention to me but she was on my mind all the time after that day.
The third time I met her was when I was 21. One moment I was on the road seated comfortably on the leather seat of my friend Henry's car, The next moment I saw two blinding lights, The next I saw just darkness and a loud sound. I remember feeling like I was floating between the state of being awake and being asleep. Then I felt a chill, a chill which took me back to being 16 again and this time instead of feeling rage all I felt was fear. Plain old fear as I found myself knocking, no banging, the car door. She was outside yet she did not open. My knocking went from slow to rushed and eventually faded but the door remained close. Then I woke up seeing myself clothed in a loose-fitting gown and the familiar smell of antiseptic entered in my system. She was nowhere to be seen but deep down I knew it wouldn't stay that way forever.
The last time I saw her was about 20 minutes ago, She was clothed in white and this time she had a smile on her face. Then for the first time she did something she had never done before. She looked at me. I put down the frame displaying 5 smiling people- 3 generations of happy people. 75 years since I laid eyes on her for the first time and yet she looked the same, yet so different.
Previously I felt confused, angered and scared at the sight of her but this time I was ready for her and I chose to welcome her and greet her, not as a foe but as a friend.
She extended a hand towards me and I took it as we walked towards a light so bright it could put the sun to shame.
I felt peace.
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