Blog (2023)

Unfold naturally

"You discover who you are by acting naturally." - Zen

On that brilliantly sunny morning, we found ourselves standing beneath an enormous oak tree that shielded us from the oppressive heat. The presence of her shadow bestowed upon us a tranquil and soothing ambiance, simultaneously shielding us from the scorching heat. Koe shifted her gaze towards the other individuals in attendance. Most of them had sombre looks on their faces, while a few engaged in animated conversations as they tried to catch up. It was akin to a gathering of individuals convening to engage in discourse about a particular subject. As Koe observed the gathering, she couldn't help but sense that while some had come to pay their respects to the departed, there were others who sought solace and tranquilly for their own souls. Perhaps there exist individuals who may exploit Mother's carefree and relaxed nature, yet this only serves to demonstrate her unwavering fortitude. As Koe gazed upon the casket being lowered into the gaping hole, her mind couldn't help but ponder the futility of those who sought solace in Mother now that it was too late. Four sturdy men stood at the outer edges of the casket, their hands grasping the heavy fabric of the shroud as they lowered it down. Death is an inevitable reality that looms over us all. We must come to terms with the fleeting nature of our existence, for it is a truth that cannot be denied. It is within the realm of possibility for one to stray from the chosen path in life and entertain the notion that mortality may be eluded. However, Koe is cognizant that there is no route that leads to evading the inevitable destination of death, irrespective of the direction one takes.

Every person has a starting point—a place where they begin their journey towards becoming who they are meant to be. Sometimes, that journey takes us down unexpected paths, leading us to become something entirely different from what we once imagined. And yet, in the end, we all fade away into the vast expanse of existence. We are but mere byproducts of the insatiable appetite for consumption and the relentless upheaval of the capitalist realm. The concept of freedom is a mere illusion. From the time a person enters this world until the time they leave it and return to the earth, she think that their ability to be of service to others determines how valuable they are. Koe has always believed that certain things retain their value even after they have served their purpose. They remind her of Elvis Presley, who departed on August 16th, 1977, and continues to hold a value of $500 million in the year 2023, despite his absence. There are many others like him, each with their own unique story and worth. John Lennon, for instance, had a net worth of $16 million. Michael Jackson, on the other hand, was worth a staggering $75 million. James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, had a net worth of $100 million. And then there were the authors, such as J.R.R. Tolkien, whose net worth was estimated to be around $500 million. Dr. Seuss, Charles Schulz, Michael Crichton, Stieg Larsson, and Agatha Christie were also among the many talented writers who had made a name for themselves and amassed fortunes. These individuals transcend the boundaries of existence itself. As Koe pondered the nature of existence, it occurred to her that one's worth is only validated by the desire of another to utilise their presence in this realm of the living. For many, if not the majority, success in life is deemed the ultimate achievement. However, she cannot help but wonder what their stance is towards those who thrive solely on their notoriety and wealth.

Koe could feel something comparable to prickling paired with a burning sensation behind her neck. This sensation was really uncomfortable. When she tilted her head upward, she saw that a ray of sunlight emanating from the source that was above her had succeeded in penetrating the dense foliage and reaching her line of sight. Her inability to function regularly is partially attributable to the fact that she is hypersensitive to light, which makes it challenging for her to lead a normal life like other people do. Because Koe did not want the sensitive area on her neck to be exposed to the beam of light, she pulled the collar of her blouse further up to its original position. Even though Koe was quite a ways away and towards the back of the group of individuals who were there to support her parents, Koe’s father took the lead position at the gathering. During that time, Koe became aware of a shadowy black limo with windows that were tinted a dark shade. The limo was parked in the shadows. It appeared as though the driver was making an effort to be close without getting too close to the memorial site where her mother is buried by driving up close to the location. A tall man with a shadowy appearance emerged from the darkness and advanced to a position where he was almost touching the trunk of the car. Because of his size, it's possible that she could have been fooled into thinking that he was a massive bear. It was the first time Koe had actually seen him in person, and as soon as she saw the window slowly open in the back door, she recognised him right away. Due to the fact that Koe’s mother only had one brother, he is the only uncle she has. Koe’s father looked at her and gave her a quick glimpse out of the corner of his right eye. She got the strong impression from him that it was time for her to depart. As she was walking away from her father, she mumbled something about "goodbye." The mysterious limo pulled away from the area where it was parked, and Koe separated herself from the other humans and continued on her own path.