Cruising beyond death

As I stepped out of the car at port, a mix of nostalgia and sadness washed over me.

I had promised my dear husband, that I would have gone back on board our first cruise ship after he passed away.

So, the day in which Mark died I simply promised him that I should have gone on board the cruise ship, which voyage we already reserved since a while.

He hardly wanted to sail for that cruise as it was the trip to celebrate his 60^th birthday despite his terrible lung cancer which in one year only took him away from a life full of love and satisfaction.

The cruise had been reserved together with a couple of good friends with which we used to travel since more than twenty years.

Unfortunately, Clara passed away too some months before due a very strange car accident. She was driving on a quiet countryside road on a sunny afternoon. She was a cautious and diligent driver, always adhering to traffic rules and regulations. Nevertheless, as she approached a bend on the road, a sudden malfunction occurred in her car. Suddenly it became impossible for her to control the vehicle and despite her immediate and desperate attempts to regain control, the car veered off the road and crashed into a large tree on the side. The impact was severe, causing significant damage to the driver's side of the car. Emergency services were called immediately, but it was clear that Clara had suffered life-threatening injuries, which complications led her to death after three days of desperate attempts. Her passing left a big trauma in her husband Mauro and her other beloved ones, leaving them devastated and grieving.

I could not say the same, as I had the whole year during Mark’s illness to familiarize with the idea that soon he would have left me alone with our beautiful memories. This wait allowed me to get used to the idea but also prevented me from crying all my tears. It was as if something had blocked them inside me, preventing me from letting go and finding even the slightest solace.

After the check-in done, I was waiting my number to be called for embarkation when silently Mauro approached me:

“It seems we had the same idea and decided to use two of the four tickets we had for the cruise!”

“Mauro! It’s so nice to see you! How comes that you are here?!”

Mauro explained with his voice filled with emotion: "After Clara passed away, I found a letter in her drawer. It was addressed to me, telling me about a past dream of a couple of weeks before her accident, where Mark and she were on the cruise ship, celebrating their birthdays together. She couldn't shake off the feeling that it was a sign, a message from beyond. She also mentioned your promise to Mark to be here and suggested that I should join you, in case indeed she would be dead before the cruise. She wrote it would be a healing journey for both of us.”

Finally tears welled up in my eyes as I listened to Mauro's words, which gave me shivers down my spine too. Clara had always been a believer in signs and messages from the universe. It seemed like she knew, even before her accident, that this cruise would be the chance to reunite in some way all four of us and to celebrate not only birthdays but also our love and friendship even in the afterlife.

And so, as the ship set sail, Mauro and I embarked on an emotional journey, carrying the memories and love of our departed spouses in our hearts. We knew that this cruise wasn't just a vacation; it was a chance for us to find strength, connection, and a way to honor the profound love and friendship that Mark and Clara had shared.

At designated dinner time, Mauro and I made our way towards the restaurant. As we approached our table, my heart skipped a beat as I saw two familiar figures sitting there, smiling warmly at us.

"Mark? Clara?" I whispered, barely able to believe my eyes. Mauro can’t even say a word in chock.

They nodded, their presence radiating with an otherworldly glow. It was as if time had stood still, and they had been waiting there for us all along.

We realized that just Mauro and me could see them as the waiter spoke to us only the  evening long.

During the dinner tears filled my eyes every time I reached out to touch Mark's face, feeling the warmth of his presence, even though he was no longer in the physical realm. Mauro's eyes shimmered with overwhelming joy as he extended his hand to clasp Clara's.

"We're here," Mark said, his voice filled with a sense of calm and love. "We couldn't miss this reunion for anything in the world."

I couldn't find the words to express my gratitude and wonder at this extraordinary occurrence. It was a real miracle, a validation of our deep connection and the enduring bond we shared, even beyond death.

Mark and Clara's presence seemed to fill the room, enveloping us in their love. We laughed, reminisced, and shared stories, just like we used to do on our previous trips together.

Throughout the cruise, Mark and Clara continued to be our guiding lights, appearing in moments of reflection and solitude. They encouraged us to embrace life, to cherish the memories we created together, and to find solace in the joy that existed even in their absence.

As the days turned into nights and the ship sailed through breathtaking landscapes, Mauro and I found healing in one another's company. We leaned on each other, offering support, and understanding as we navigated the bittersweet journey of grief and remembrance.

On the last night of the cruise, under a canopy of stars, we gathered on the deck, Mark and Clara's ethereal forms standing near us. Their love, along with the love we had for each other, created a palpable energy that seemed to transcend time and space. In that magic, with tears in our eyes, Mauro and I whispered our final goodbyes to Mark and Clara, releasing them with love and gratitude. We knew that although they were no longer physically present, their spirits would forever illuminate our lives, giving us a profound sense of fulfillment and peace. It had been a testament to the enduring power of love, friendship, and the unbreakable bond that exists even after we part from this mortal existence.

Walking off the ship, I carried with me the precious memories of this extraordinary voyage. And though the ache of loss would always be present, I knew that I would forever carry the love and connection that Mark and Clara had brought into our new lives, feeling a renewed sense of hope for the future and comfort in knowing that Mauro and I would always find solace in our friendship: we were not alone.

The journey may have ended, but the love and spirit that united us would forever live on, guiding us through whatever challenges life may bring.