I turned my head to my right, and not four steps away from me was a man. The man himself was a bit out of focus, and the aisle behind him just went on into infitinity, fading into pure white. "Hello Benjamin," the blurry figure said, "are you finding everything you're looking for?" The instant the figure said that, I knew that by 'everything you're looking for,' he meant with respects to life. Am I happy with my life? "Yes I am," I answered back. The figure took on step closer, and by the end of that one step he was perfectly in focus. So in focus was he, that he looked more crisp and set in my vision than any other person I'd ever spoken to. The man before me was my uncle, my mother's brother, and he had a soft smile upon his face. "Uncle?" I asked, and the instant I asked I knew that I was speaking to someone else. Someone bigger. Someone grander. I was filled with this warm feeling of peace and knowledge. "Yes, Benjamin?" The instant I heard that, I was knocked back a step or two from the words alone. I was talking to G-d. I just knew it. I felt it through and through. I was more sure that I was in the presence of G-d than I was my name is Benjamin. I tried to speak to Him. I tried to open my mouth and ask, "G-d? Is that really you?" However, I was shocked to hear my voice say, "Uncle? Is that really you?" "You can only call me Uncle for you may not call me by any other name in my presence." "Is my Uncle G-d?" "No. I am G-d. I chose this form to speak with you, hoping it would be easier for you to relate." "Why? Why are You here? In the toy aisle? What happened to the toy aisle? Am I dead?" "My son, you're not dead. I'm here to talk to you." "Am I ok? Am I doing a good job, or whatever it is you're checking up on?" "You're doing very well. Are you satisfied with your life?" "I guess I am," there's no lying to G-d. He already knows, but I guess He's just making conversation. "I'm trying to pursue writing, and it's slow going, but it makes me happy. The wedding planning is a pain, though." "I'm proud of you." "Really? You're proud of me? I'm wasting my life away in toy aisles, and You're proud of me?" "The secret is happiness, My son. You're always happy, and you're living a good life. You're doing well." "Thank you." "Now wake up." "What? No, wait. Uncle. I have so many questions. Please." And like that (snap), it was over. |
