Good Night

It was with a simple good night that I found out about a friend's passing. We were not close, but at some point, we had talked about photography and hiking. Probably, about grammar, too, as we both taught English. And just like that, this phrase has taken on a new meaning. What used to be just something people blurt out before sleep, and take for granted, now has become a sad farewell.

Good night, it wrote on his social media wall, as if he'd still be in the morning for coffee, or to post something I'd most likely ignore. Good night, like we've just had a drawn out discussion about rule of thirds and the last mountain we'd slept on. Interesting how this has created a euphemism for truth- that all has ended for him. It has also made it difficult to wish the same on anyone, a loved one, for example, for it no longer just means a good night. But does it just, really?

Every night we leave the world and be dead to it. We dream of things we have seen, of possibilities, and even strange images. For the duration, we are untethered from reality, like a lost consciousness flitting from time to another. We die every night we sleep with the hopeful promise of a brand new day. And we feel lucky every time we open our eyes in the morning.

To those that have moved on, it must be the same. I would like to think that they are dreaming of beautiful fields of lavender, of cascading waterfalls and spectacular conversations. He, must be having a grand time taking pictures. She, must be enjoying all the best cakes. And he, must be singing to beautiful music. While we, get a glimpse of how amazing it would be every night, we get pulled back to our unfinished businesses the next day.

And so, it's just right to bid good friends and loved ones good night as they dream on. But also, I have a feeling that they will not be slumbering but waking up from a dream that's life. 

To them, good night, and thank you for the talks, the hugs and the smiles.