The Story Never Told … Until Now
The Universe is Inexplicably Large, and No Matter How Improbable,
There's Plenty of Space for Wishes and Dreams to Come True!
When first contact finally occurred, it didn't happen like the scholars, media, or big thinkers said it would. There was no giant mothership, hovering sinisterly over Washington DC. Absent was the dramatic radio broadcast where the aliens announced their intentions for all to hear with diplomatic formality. It wasn't even on the news. Not at first, anyway.
Later journalists would dig through the Internet, hunting for the eyewitness reports of the very first signs. They found it in the form of individual social media accounts. On message boards and forums. Lone accounts that, if considered in isolation, would be easily dismissed as pranks, bad trips, or conspiracy theories. These sorts of things had been around for as long as the Internet had existed, but it was the trend that made it statistically relevant. That sudden sharp uptick which could be plotted on a line graph.
Looking back on it, it was clear that something real was going on. That our world had been forever changed. But at the time, most people were entirely unaware. The mass media talked about other things of note, like weather patterns or the global economy. Mundane things to be sure, but bulleted points that held real import for the average person.
Brian Marcus was half-watching one of these morning broadcasts when he got the invitation. It came in the form of a private message on his social site of choice. It was a simple message, short and to the point but despite this, the middle-aged man's brow furrowed in confusion as he read it.
"Brian, my dear friend. If your schedule would allow it, I'd like to see you today, in person. Let me know if you can make it and I will arrange transportation. I look forward to finally meeting you. Best regards, your friend, Eterial."
Like most of Brian's friends, he'd met Eterial online. He considered the two of them fairly close friends despite the distance that separated them, and for the last couple years or so had kept Eterial more or less up to date on the goings-on of his daily life. Health issues, money issues, family issues. Over private messages Brian had shared both the good and bad with his online friend, and he'd seen been plenty of both of in his life so there was always something new to share.
After their initial digital meeting the traditionally awkward introductions that followed, the man who would go down in the history books as the human who made first contact on behalf of his entire species mostly thought of his pal Eterial as a friendly sort, if a bit odd. It didn't help matters that the other man was heavily into role playing. That in itself wasn't so strange. Plenty of Brian's friends like to pretend they were anthropomorphic animals. Foxes, wolves, crows and the like.
No, what made Eterial peculiar was that he never gave up the game. He insisted that he was a gryphon and Brian was far too polite to argue the point. But even more than that, the gryphon insisted he was communicating from off world. When Brian had asked how this was possible, Eterial had explained that there was a handful of cloaked communication buoys in space, placed in Earth's orbit. These allowed access for his people to get to know humanity in the form of radio, television, and most importantly, the Internet.
At the time, Brian had rolled his eyes at his laptop while he sipped coffee. He hadn't begrudged his friend for holding so tightly to the fiction. The world could be a dark, cruel place. He knew this better than most. So in the name of mutual respect, he'd gone along with the story. Asking Eterial questions about his life and his people. If nothing else, no one could say that the other man lacked imagination or a flare for creative writing.
Which was why the private message had surprised him the way it did. Meeting in person? How would that work, without Eterial's carefully crafted illusion tearing apart at the seams? Or maybe that was the whole point, Brian wondered. That after two years of growing friendship, his long-distance buddy had finally decided to let the walls down. Maybe the man just wanted some real human contact in his life. Face to face.
For those of you who don't know -- which is probably most of you -- I lost Mom on December 31, 2018, an hour or two (give or take) before New Year's 2019. This was after 5 (I can't remember very well) horrible days in Hospice -- most of the people are nice, but there are things that aren't done right there, and it seems like some of the folks there prefer it that way, as it "moves things along" --- I don't know, perhaps I'm being cynical, but I really can't describe what happened here right now ... I've told the story many times, and it hurts so much -- I even have PTSD moments of certain events and visuals there that send me into a fit of tears.
Suffice it to say, I've been on my own now for nearly four months. It was a bit easier, when friends came to visit and help get rid of a bunch of junk that needed to go, but the house is still a total mess, and it's all I can do to just exist.
If you're wondering if Eterial or any other ferral or anthropomorphic sentient animals have made their way into my life, sadly the answer is still, "Not Yet." It's a double-edge sword if they do, as I'd be thankful to have them, but so very upset that they didn't arrive in time to save Mom.
I tried doing a little bit of journaling, mostly just writing down the things I needed to do and when I finally did them. The pain has gotten worse, and I was told this would happen by a bereavement counselor, as people tend to go back to their own lives and problems.
Not sure what I'm accomplishing, if anything, by writing this here, but still hoping for miracles, and that one day, my family and I will reunite and spend eternity together doing all the things we love and so much more in perfect health, happiness, and fulfillment.
But for now, I take my meds -- which seem to not nearly help as much as they once did -- try to distract myself by reading stories and doing things online, but often bursting into tears and sobs, missing everyone who's dear to me that's gone. I have no direction, no inclinations on what to do other that the stuff that needs to be done to maintain, and I feel so very sad.
I need someone furred and feather to give me a big hug, tell me that things will be okay, and that they'll be there for me always. A BIG Ask, I know...
Anyway, that's my life now, as I know it. Not sure what will happen, but feeling like this isn't something I can maintain for any significant length of time. Will still try to find the beauty in life, but will always be sad that I can't share it with Mom, or call Dad and see what he's doing and talk about technology and other neat stuff. The dogs, the bird, the cat ... I miss them all too. I just hope they're all together and happy, with no fear, pain, suffering, illness, injury, ageing, and death to ever bother them again.
Much love to you all! <3 -- Cet
I'd never wish this upon anyone. I'm very sorry you had, and are still having to go through all of this, and wish you the best of luck and strength to pull through.
They say that you're never given more than you can handle, but I find that statement really doesn't apply. Even with being thankful and appreciative of all the blessings in one's life, there are certain things that make living (just existing) painful from an emotional perspective, which can manifest into the physical as well.
I thank you for your kind words. I try to occupy my mind as much as I can, as when I take a break, a rest or a few moments to stop, I inevitably find something that reminds me of what has happened, even if it's just my being alone -- and the tears come, along with the sorrow, and feelings of being lost without the comforts of family upon which to turn.
I'd like to think I'm making some headway, even if it's just trying to get things into order, but it's all so difficult, but that I can handle. The emotions that go with it, the tough dreams, the moments when you think someone is still here and then realize they're not ... I don't know -- there are folks far worse off than I am, but I guess grief and sorrow and emotional pain vary based upon the individual experiencing them, and for me, these losses have been the most difficult part of my life, and everything just hurts.
I'll try my best to "keep moving forward", and thank you again for your motivation. I hope you never have to experience what I've gone though, and that you'll have plenty of folks there to support you whenever you have to deal with heart-breaking situations.
There have been some positives in my life -- having some folks I've known long distance come and join me in the house -- it was a win/win as they needed a place to stay thanks to an evil-landlord, and I needed help getting the house in order. it's also nice hearing voices and having people around, but I so very much miss Mom and her presence here, in the car, everywhere I go.
I reach for a hand that isn't there, I long for the sound of her voice, her laugh, and to see her wonderful smile.
No new news to update on the arrival of Eterial or any other sapient, sentient, Anthropomorphic Animals, Dragons, Gryphons, and other Mystical creatures in feral or anthro form. Still, doesn't stop me for asking them to come into my life.
I guess I must be pretty screwed up to long for something that to our most basic knowledge is simply a fictional story of a "made-up" world filled with "muse-inspired" characters. But, I guess I never really matured with respect to finding another compatible human being as any form of partner. Sure, I do have some friends here and there -- mostly far away -- but the heart wants what it wants, and if there isn't fur, feathers, flippers, flukes, scales, talons, etc. in the mix, the attraction and desire for a relationship just isn't there.
Am I the only one who feels this way? I'm guessing that given the choice, many readers and authors here would love to be part of their creative worlds with Gryphon, Dragon, and Anthropomorphic Animal friends ... But I guess most recognize reality and fantasy for what they are, and manage to find the compatible human soulmate with whom to bond.
Anyway, these remaining days of the year will be very difficult indeed for me. I do hope all them members of my family that have moved on ahead of me are someplace truly wonderful, enjoying an eternal existence together, and awaiting my arrival to fill me in on just how wonderful things will be.
For now, I eat, I sleep, I try to do a few thing, but mostly I cry, and try to deal with the dreams when I'm talking to Mom or Dad asking them if they are really here, and if I just had a bad dream where they had passed. I get to the point where I'm just about believing it and then I wake up to reality. It's a harsh experience, and really sucks.
Anyway, for those of you who read this message (if anyone ever does), thanks for taking the time, and please feel free to share your thoughts -- no judgement, just appreciation for your contribution.
Hoping you never have to experience such pain, but I guess it's part of life and inevitable in some way -- though it would have been nice to be much farther along in my life before having to finally experience this sadness.
All the best to you and yours! -- Cet <3
From what you have said I doubt either your Mum or Dad would want you to be so depressed so all I can suggest is the old Cliché "Try and think of the good times with those you have lost." but I'm in no position to even think of offering advice.
Maybe just live life for today and look after yourself, for tomorrow may be the day Eterial stops by to say hi. Now that really would be something to look forward to. Lets hope these Anthro aliens or time travelers have enough common sense to make contact with someone like you rather than one of the Buffoons in our governments.
Stay strong and if your ever lucky enough to meet the real thing, let me know, It would be a dream come true to meet them and have a chat.
Not sure what the future holds, but am glad and grateful to be here and continue the journey. It's also nice to hear from others who are of similar thoughts, hopes, dreams, and so forth.
Hope you can make yours reality, and certainly will let you and a number of other folks know if some friendly visitors do finally manage to stop by and say hello -- perhaps a bit more. ;)