A Visitor That Changed My Life

The knock was so faint, it was barely audible, and it was very late. I wondered who could possible be knocking on my door at such a late hour. It was all in slow motion, and I felt like I was stepping out of myself, as I composed myself and made my way to the door.

I reached for the doorknob and I managed to open it slightly. Oh my God, it was a little girl, she couldn't be more than five or six years old. What was she doing out at this late hour? Why was she knocking on my door? Was she lost or in trouble?

I said," Are you lost honey"?

'She replied,"No, I have the right house, aren't you Mrs. Payton"? A strange feeling came over me, like I was starring in a movie, or I was in a time capsule.

I looked at her, and she had a familiarity that was uncanny. I had seen her somewhere before. I studied her face, and she had the spunk of a child, I dreamed of being, and her locks of hair were all disheveled the way my hair always looked. I stared into her eyes, and as my Grandmother always said, I had evil in my eyes, but I saw nothing but unadulterated mischief and a zest for life. I saw a gleam in the little girl's eyes, that was eerily familiar. My Grandmother never liked me very much and until I was middle aged, I never knew why. I looked at the little girl's clothes, and I remembered the little girl that was always had a big smile and one foot up in the air, and was always ready to take off and run and play.

I remembered looking at her, how I would playfully mimic swimming in my backyard, stroking with my arms and never having to worry about the boyancy of the water while swimming across the yard. My mind flashed to the swing in the back of the neighbors yard that I was allowed to swing on, and when I went so high, I could pretend I was on a trapeze.

The suddenly my mind flashed back to the figure of the child standing at my door.

I wondered who this child was, that reminded me so much of myself.

"Can I come in," she asked, and I said, "not until you tell me who you are and what you want. Who are you, and where do you live, and what is your name"? The child looked puzzled and she said, "Don't you know who I am"? She hesitated for a moment, and then she spoke.

"I am you Susan. I am your second chance at life".

My legs were trembling, and I couldn't believe my eyes. I said to the little girl, "Is this some kind of joke"?, I screamed at the child. I was becoming very agitated, and interested all at the same time. My life could have been better, but then I considered my two children and my two Grandchildren. If I had a second chance at life, I would have to give up what this life had given me.

I felt a wave of air come over me, like on a windy day. I opened my eyes, that I wasn't at all aware were shut, and I saw a picture hanging on the wall, that looked familiar. It was a picture of my very own children when they were small. Along side of it, was a photo of my two Grandchildren and the memories and the feeling of love overwhelmed me for a moment, and I felt the exhilaration of extreme happiness.

I felt something had moved me, and I rolled over, and found I was clutching my own pillow.