The Park Bench (Love & Sadness)
The sun was big and bright in the early summer sky which paired perfectly with a timid breeze and made for a glorious afternoon at the park. Love walked along the path next to the lake until she spotted her person of interest sitting on a bench looking out over the water. Sadness was an older woman that had long white unkept hair that blew in front of her face and her large framed glasses. They were so old, nasty and nicked up that it was a mystery how she was able to see through them. Love walked up and stood next to the bench and paused a moment. “Did you know that a five year old boy drowned here?” asked Sadness without even bothering to move her head to look at Love. “It was just like this, in the middle of the day, and no one helped him.”
Love calmly took a seat next to Sadness on the bench. “It’s good to see you too.” said Love while lightly laughing and shaking her head. Offended by the cheeriness Sadness turned and made sharp eye contact. “How can you laugh at the mention of a poor boy dying while people stood around?” barked Sadness while Love stayed locked in to her gaze, unflinching and unfazed. “My laughter has nothing to do with that boy or the horrible story, and you know that. It comes from the fact you choose to sit here on such a beautiful, life filled day and remember a tragedy that happened how many years ago?” asked Love yet to blink. “Does it matter how long it’s been to that boy’s family and friends?” quipped Sadness while moving closer to Love on the bench. “Of course not. We all deal and heal as best we can. The real question being when is it enough? How many tears does it take?” asked Love while leaning in as well. “According to you there is no hope of life ever getting better, or even trying to heal, and you know that’s a lie.”
Sadness sat back in the bench and looked around the park at the couples talking and laughing while having picnics, and the children buzzing around the playground. “How can you say that there is hope when death and suffering awaits everyone that we see?” blurted out Sadness while waving her hand over all the souls at the park. “You know that it is because of death that life gets its meaning, not in spite of it. Life and death are not enemies, they are brothers that lovingly lead all of us to and from the same place.” said Love while smiling and watching the little ones play. “Life is difficult for everyone, and unfortunately you are an unavoidable part of this existence, but that is not where it ends. That is just the beginning.” said Love while quietly turning her piercing gaze from the kids to Sadness who looked away and scowled.
“Easy for you to say when it’s not your boy floating in the water.” hissed Sadness out of the side of her mouth. “You know as well as I do it does no good for the living or the dead to mourn indefinitely, and it wasn’t your boy either.” said Love while shaking her head.
“If you choose to endlessly grieve for all of humanity that is your choice, but do not mistake that for caring or compassion.” as she said that Love stood to her feet and once again turned and faced Sadness who was a frowning crumpled up mess. “Humanity does not need to abandon all hope of a better life because of fear, sadness and suffering. It is through that we get the opportunity to learn that regardless of how horrible life can get, love is, and always will be, far greater.” Love kept smiling while staring at Sadness who still sat quietly fuming. “Tell Fear I’m on my way to chat with him too.” Saying that Love paused, closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then turned and walked back down the pathway.