Life Ends

<p>On a crisp autumn day the fallen leaves crunched underfoot as Joshua and his father Daniel strolled down the quiet street. The six-year-old boy's eyes were drawn to the looming wrought-iron gates and the rolling hills beyond dotted with solemn gray headstones. Daddy who are those people in there? Joshua asked innocently pointing towards the graveyard. </p><p><br>As father and son continued their walk Joshua asked more probing questions. Daniel explained with patience and love how death was a natural part of life's cycle describing it as the soul completing its journey and metaphorically writing the final lines before closing the book. He assured the boy that though they could no longer see their departed loved ones their essences remained like invisible strands weaving through their lives.</p><p><br>Over the years Joshua grappled with the concept of mortality seeking deeper meaning. On solemn anniversaries he and Daniel would visit the graveyard leaving flowers sharing memories and finding solace. </p><p><br>Then the unthinkable happened - Daniel was diagnosed with terminal cancer. In his final months he spent every moment creating lasting memories with Joshua now a teenager. With tears and hugs he passed on all his fatherly wisdom preparing his son for life's harsh realities.<br> </p>