I said YES.
At 18, not out of courage, just out of curiosity.
What I saw didn’t scare me.
There was peace.
I was older, quiet, with a soft smile. I was holding someone’s hand, maybe a partner, maybe a friend.
In the distance, I saw a familiar tail wagging: my old dog, the one who shared so many years with us.
He turned, as if waiting.
And I felt the need to follow him.
No regrets. No fear.
Just the strange comfort of knowing I’ll leave with a sense of peace, maybe even joy.
A deep serenity fills me, because in that moment, I know I’ve honored life. I’ve lived it fully.

“Hey, Otto... good boy. Wait for me.”