Friday, October 18, 2024

That Well-Traveled Road


Just watched the MASH episode "Follies of the Living, Concerns of the Dead" from season ten.

Seen it dozens of times before, of course.

If you're not familiar with it, it focuses on the ghost - or spirit - of Private Jimmy Weston, killed in action and wandering the 4077th trying to convince others he is not dead.

The closing scene, shown in the photo, shows Weston joining a nameless soldier and others, including Chinese soldiers, civilians, and other combatants walking up a road, destination unknown.

Dad had a dream about that road. He dreamed he was on one side of a river, and saw Mom coming up the other side, struggling mightily with a walker on a rough path. She saw him and plunged headlong into the river, startling him. He called out to her, but saw her go under.

Then she came out of the water, swimming strong, and young as she was when they met. She came out if the water into his arms, and they continued their journey in the road, arm in arm.

At my sister Marina's graveside service earlier this year, I had a strong impression that Mom and Dad were there, waiting for her to come out of the water so they could journey together.

We'll all walk that road eventually. There's some comfort in knowing what lies at the end.

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