It started off as an ordinary day.  The weather was ordinary, the occasional flash of sunshine followed by the slow onslaught of cloud.  People were following the same routines as they always did.  Mr Glover was starting his journey to work.  Mrs Howard was dragging the kids, kicking and screaming to school.  Everyone was doing their normal thing.  Except me.

I went out into the back garden this morning to hang the washing out.  Methodically, I hung each piece of washing out, making sure it was pegged securely, then stood back to admire my work.  Looking around the garden, I saw weeds that needed clearing and flowers that needed dead heading.  I set to work immediately, making each plant look cared for and loved.  Cared for and loved, like I had been cared for and loved.

I remembered the sensation of Martin's hand in mine and the tender stroking of my skin as he whispered sweet nothings.  I remembered the day of our wedding, and the total complete happiness that threatened to overwhelm me.  I remembered the day he died, as if it was yesterday, and my heart ached uncontrollably.

A wave of weariness overtook me, and I sat down heavily on the rusty cast iron garden bench.  I closed my eyes, feeling the cool breeze wash over me, lulling me into sleep.  It can't have been more than five minutes, and I was in a fitful doze, vivid colours and dreams flashing through my mind.  I saw fairies with multi-coloured diaphanous wings and unidentifiable creatures with strange pelts and faces.  I saw lush green woodland and crystal blue lakes, teeming with silver fish.  I skipped through the leafy undergrowth, feeling the heat of the bright warm day caress my skin.

Feeling a wave of unexplained calmness and contentment, I walked further towards the glowing sun on the horizon.  In the far distance were a group of people, whose faces I was not yet close enough to make out.  I walked towards them with a spring in my step, moving better than I had done for years.  I made out one of the people waving at me, and I waved back enthusiastically.  I had to get closer.

Breaking into a run, I sprinted towards them, faster and faster.  My hair came loose from its previously neat and tidy bun and floated wildly around my face as I ran.  Finally, I had to stop, and looked towards the same group of people that I had seen before.  I saw my Mother.  I saw my Father.  I saw all of my friends and family that had gone before.  One of the group broke away from the others, and started running towards me as fast as I had run towards them.  As he reached me, he drew me into his arms and hugged me for what seemed like an eternity.  As we walked towards the setting sun, he held my hand, stroked my skin and whispered sweet nothings.

I would never wake again.