I made a “please” gesture and sent Kimberly, who was confused out the door. Then I dragged my suitcase to the funeral home.
***
I put the peace quilt in the coffin and said my final goodbyes to my lovely daughter, Vilhelmina. I brought and stuffed all the report cards of the maternity test, as well as Vilhelmina's photos. I then put all of them into the coffin. The cremation furnace was started. I was sad when I saw Vilhelmina’s body was pushed in by the conveyor belt. Under the high temperature, I was scorched by the iron mesh and my skin turned red. But it was as if I didn't even notice the pain.
I didn't even dare to blink. I was still staring at the glass outside the cremator. I watched as the coffin was cauterized. Vilhelmina's body was burned so much that it curled up and slowly turned into a tiny little piece.
I was emotionally tense for a few days.
A few days later, I suddenly slid to the ground as if my entire strength had been taken away.
Vilhelmina has a weak body. It made me have spent a lot of energy since birth. I even gave up the opportunity to be deployed overseas to take care of her.