You, Me, and the Colors of Life

by Noa C. Walker

It was up to Steffen to take down the walls he’d built to protect himself. But he couldn’t do it on his own, just like her father hadn’t.

Profound events like the one your brother’s going through change people. They leave a mark. Sensitive people who have experiences that try to drag their soul down a dark hole never come back the way they were before—but they do have a chance to come back even better.”

“What’s important is that he realizes life is worth living. Problems, pain, and suffering are all part of the human condition. Not only so we know what happiness is, but also because they build character, change us, teach us.”

“Has he ever said he wanted to protect us from the storms of life?” Helga replied, stepping closer. “God isn’t supposed to spare us grief, illness, or pain.”

“When is it ever the right time to die, Janica? It’s much too early as a child. As a young woman, newly in love, it’s unfair and wrong. The same for newlyweds. Then we want children. As soon as we have them, we want to be there for them and watch them grow up. Next, we want to help them through the turbulence of becoming adults, and then we don’t want to miss out on the grandchildren. And then? Travel, perhaps? Discover the world, take up painting, and volunteer somewhere so we feel we’re still needed? Tell me, when is the right time? And what is the best way to go? A sudden accident? An unexpected heart attack? Or knowing that death is near, giving you the chance to say good-bye? It’s always hard. How lucky that death isn’t the final chapter in our lives.”