Interview with Death

   Death:  Have you seen my latest work, Charles?
   Charles: Watching you work is not my great interest.
   Death: I thought you like me. You think about me enough.
   Charles:  True, but....
   Death: And you know I am necessary to the world.
   Charles: But....
   Death: And we will meet face to face one day.
   Charles: Of course, but....
   Death:  I plan to be quick and gentle with you.
   Charles: That I would appreciate.  What I don't appreciate is the pain and loss some of my friends must endure, and the pain of families left behind.
   Death: I'm not promising quick and gentle, of course.
   Charles:  Don't tell me....
   Death: What's bothering you?
   Charles:  Charles and Jack and Bryce and Connor...the recent ones...it's painful for us.
   Death: You know they served well.
   Charles:  True, but....
   Death:  I take no one lightly; my work is serious.  There must be a season of harvest.
   Charles: I worked in harvest - the grain is cut, and dies.
   Death:  But it feeds life.
   Charles: True, but....
   Death:  You've read Paul.  "Unless it dies, it cannot rise."
   Charles: Thanks for reminding me of hope.  It still hurts.
   Death:  I know.