That Night When the Grim Reaper Chased Me

One of the things that I’m thankful for is the ability to remember most of my dreams vividly. For a while, I did some exercises suggested over the web so that one can master remembering and eventually, controlling my own dreams. I wasn’t that succesful though. I got tired in the end. :P I guess the constant journalizing (no matter how bizzare it gets) of every dream that I remember (which, BTW, happens almost every night) took it’s toll. My sister once called me neurotic. It was fun but when I realized that I’m not getting somewhere—my goal was to control what my dreams will be, I decided to stop.

Today, I’m gonna tell you one of the odd dreams that I had. It was strange but at the same time, life changing. I hope it will change me for I can only speak about the present, look back on my past, and hope for the future...

One Sunday morning, my pillow vibrated—more like my alarm clock vibrated. I have long accepted that I can no longer hear (no matter how noisy it’ll be) the ringing of my alarm clock; something defective about my ears I guess. I looked at the time and horror filled me. It’s already 6:40 in the morning! I should’ve woken up earlier! I’m a slow mover when it comes to dressing and preparing so when I discovered that I’m 40 minutes late with my should-be prep time, I decided, well, considered the idea of staying at home and cuddle on my bed, my warm bed with the weather so coooold.... And on to the dream land.

My dream started at my high school Alma Mater. Jikko decided to show me his cool compact DSLR with a huge touch screen and wi-fi ready gadget. “Cool,” I said. 

Then the scene changed and Bem, Krisven, Jikko, Kid, and I were placed in front of a shopping mall. Kid decided to go ahead of us and told us that she will be attending the mass as it’s 7:30 in the evening. It was a battle within me but when she’s about a couple of blocks away, that’s when I decided to attend the mass and Jikko decided to accompany me. The clock ticked so fast that I just knew, it’s already 8 in the evening! We must hurry up! Krisven and Bem hurried after us as well. But when we reached on the spot where Kid was a while ago, the Grim Reaper came gliding at us. He wore a black robe that covered his body and his face... 

We ran as fast as our legs would allow but the Grim Reaper was still persistent. He glided effortlessly and had his eyes set on us. During the chase, there were times when he would catch us. He caught me. But I prayed intently and said the Apostle's Creed and the Grim Reaper would just vanished. But when we resumed to run, the Grim Reaper would chase us back. And I thought, “I don’t want to die. I’m too young to die. I haven’t done any good yet! I need to redeem myself!”

Horrifying as it was, we reached the church and the Grim Reaper, with his head bowed down, stepped back. We told everyone what we’ve gone through. With Kid sobbing, she decided to say sorry to her sister (they’re not on speaking terms in that dream) but her sister ignored her. After what seems like an eternity, her sister turned to her, crying as well, then hugged her. It was a momentous occasion for all of us. The scene changes... and after a while, I woke up.

On my present time, It was 7:10 AM. I can’t believe I have dreamt that much when I just took a nap for like a couple of minutes! I felt... different. I feel different! And I was ashamed that I even considered the idea of not going to church just because my silly bed is so inviting. I dressed up and immediately fixed my bed.  I was changed in some way. The whole mass, I was thinking of how I could improve my life.  I hope the euphoria of being saved by the Lord’s prayer will last long.

And then I realized that the dream that I has was a like a tug of war between dying and living. We will all going to die. Death is inevitable. It’s how he live our life through the will of God that makes everything all worthwhile. In my dream, I was fighting to live just as much as I was fighting in my present life but I know, the Grim Reaper will soon catch up with me. When that time comes, I’ll make sure that I am ready.