Jenny's Birthday

A beautiful sunny day, not a cloud in sight. Spring flowers all around for children to enjoy and pick and give to their mothers. The sand in the playground was soft and cool to the touch, moist just enough for Jenny to build her castle. Jenny ran around the playground and jumped up the stairs to the slide, her pale blue dress flowing in the breeze brang out her eyes, to look into them was to watch a great storm in the middle of the ocean. Her blonde hair pulled up into a ponytail to keep it from those beautiful eyes.

She danced barefoot on the grass next to the swingset she had loved since she was barely able to walk. Today was her 9th birthday, her smile full and showing for all to see. Her mother knew she had no friends but, that didn't stop little Jenny from enjoying her birthday with only her mother. Jenny's father had passed away before she was born, a drunken driver had slammed his car into a concrete pole killing him instantly. Jenny's mother had made sure her precious girl had known her father through photographs, videotapes and scattered love letters to her mother when was away on business for long periods of time.

Jenny laughed as her mother chased after her and played hide and seek, only to catch Jenny and tickle her until she could do nothing but laugh. They had only each other and always made it known that they loved one another more than anything. The other families at the playground with their children climbing on monkeybars and racing through the grass were oblivious to Jenny and her mother, which to Jenny, made the day all the more special. It was as if it were only her and her mother.

A loud terrible thunderclap suddenly shook the playground as everyone turned to see where it had came from. Jenny ran through a tangle of trees as her mother ran after her, trying to catch her in case a thunderstorm had suddenly appeared so tey could get out of it. Jenny was stopped at the edge of the trees, watching onward toward the skyline of the city. Jenny's mother grabbed her and held her tightly and began to cry. Families that were once playing and enjoying the day were now running for their lives and packing into cars as quickly as possible. Only jenny and her mother remained, they both knew there was no escape.

The mushroom cloud burned orange and towered over the city skyline, the balls of flame plumed outward in all directions. It was coming for them. Jenny asked her mother to let her stand as her mother clung to her only child for dear life, crying. Jenny gave her mother a kiss and hugged her as hard as her small arms would allow her as her mother returned the affectionate favor. Jenny's mom allowed her daughter to stand and watch as everything they knew was being torn apart. their home near the edge of the city was now consumed in the fire ball that was coming straight towards them.

There was nothing they coudl do but watch. Jenny looked up at her mother and with as much sincerity as a small girl had, said "Don't cry mommy, daddy is coming with it, you can see him in that red cloud, he's smiling at us. Everything will be ok mommy, we'll all be a family again soon. I can't wait to meet daddy." Her mother sat down and pulled jenny with her, holding her as she looked up at the cloud Jenny had referred to and saw her late husband, she could even hear him tell her everything is all right and that this isn't the end.

They watched on as death came at them faster and faster, hugging one another. The air of flames licked all around them and took them in. In and instant, their world had turned from bright blue to orange and red. The playground had become a manifestation of Hell.

-In this world we are given such a short amount of time as it is, you never know when it will be taken away from you. When the time comes, there is nothing you can do but have love in your heart and if you are afraid, look onward into it with the eyes of a child and know this one thing: When all is said and done, would you rather face it with fear and unknowing? Or would you rather face it with love and passion and remember that the life you had was yours and no one elses?