Gone Too Soon

Sunday afternoon. 2:42 PM. The old, rickety grandfather clock’s pendulum sways back and forth as each long second passes by. Everyone sits silently on the solid church benches. No one dares make a sound as the last of the family members creek open the tall, grand doors. It is really a beautiful place. As the service starts, my mind drifts off to place it  hadn’t been in years.

“What’s up?” came Rachel’s muffled voice through my laptop speakers. My little 11 year old hands were trembling as I talked to her, but she could only see from my neck up through our FaceTime.
“Just finished watching the newest Walking Dead episode,” I replied “But you’re probably not into that.”
“Are you kidding? I just did the same thing!” We stayed up all night going on and on about the show.

I glance at the church’s pure white ceiling. It reminded me of a fresh winter snowstorm.

“Don’t mess this up,” I whispered to myself. Snow brushed across my face as I mounted my board, gazing down at the humongous jump that was about to make or break my chances.
“Go!” the booming announcer’s voice sounded from a large speaker behind me. I pushed off and gained speed instantly. In a single moment, I hit the jump, nailed the trick, and won myself first place in the 2015 State-Wide Snowboarding Competition.

Suddenly, I snap back to reality. My mom stands up at the front of the room, a plain, black dress with her fanciest pearl earrings and necklace. She is balling her eyes out trying to power through what seemed to be a speech that took forever to perfect. She ends her speech, and the priest walks over to the coffin. My world ends as it closes on top of me.