Lost Souls

One evening as I sat with her, I was staring at a bookshelf when a small black book caught my eye. I retrieved it and found it to be a book about meditation, astral projection and all sorts of reading of the sort. I began looking through it and the old lady said I could have it if I wanted. I gracefully thanked her and took the book home. I found it fascinating and began practicing some of the techniques.

Six months later the old lady passed away. I did not attend the funeral, since I did not know the rest of the family and felt uncomfortable to be in attendance. That afternoon, I was sitting in a chair reading the book. I had opened the window on her side of the house, for there was a wonderfully slight breeze blowing. Suddenly, several cars pulled into her driveway. I saw the mother and father and two other younger families which I supposed was her grandchildren and their kids. They opened all the windows. I was surprised at the gaiety of the people inside. They did not seem to be in mourning as a regular family would. I was curious and concentrated on listening to them. They were talking and laughing as if they were pleased the old lady passed away.

Then I heard them talking about dividing up all of the antiques and valuables left behind. I became confused and angry. According to what I could hear, they had been waiting for the old lady to pass away. Not only did she own a lot of valuable items, but it turned out she had been quite wealthy. To my horror, they talked of how much money they would be getting and their plans on spending the money.

The first thing I thought of was how I had been such a lost soul for many years, but this was beyond my comprehension. After reading the little black book and finding my way toward enlightenment, I realized these people were truly lost souls. How could they be so greedy and uncaring? The afternoon passed and eventually they left. The next day, several trucks appeared at the home and workers began packing up and moving everything out of the house.

I sat in my chair for a while, thinking of all the time I had spent with the old lady and how we had grown to become very good friends. I felt a tear running down my cheek. I felt so sorry for her. I knew how good a person she had been and prayed for her. When I recall everything that had happened over the last months, I realized these people were truly lost souls.

As I read more of the book and gained wisdom, I felt that it was meant to be for me to meet her, become her friend in her last days and the book was a gift that she somehow new I needed. I will never understand people like her family. I prayed for them to change their ways. I do not know if that ever happened, but I do know they were truly lost souls.