Here I sit, trying to find the words to write this blog post.

I’ve been trying to write this post in my head for a long, long time. Months. Many months. All of my mental effort has been to no avail. I just can’t find the right words to sum up what I want to say.

So please bear with me here. I don’t really know what I’m going to say, or how I’m going to say it. But I’m going to do my best to get this out.

Important facts that I would like to make known before I proceed:

1. I am not now, nor have I ever been, what I call a “sympathy seeker”. I do not like to share my pain or problems.

2. I have always called this blog my “happy place”. I keep my posts pretty loosey-goosey. I try to primarily write posts that are helpful or funny. I do not like to make this blog a “heavy space”.

3. Those former two things being said, something very monumental has happened in my life, and while I really do not want to discuss it because it is very painful, it feels just WRONG to ignore it on my blog. 

And now I’m stumped again. Words, which generally pour freely from me, are lost to me now. I think it would be best to proceed with pictures.

I knew it was coming. She has been very sick, for a very long time. I did not talk about it on my blog because I couldn’t talk about it. I didn’t even discuss it with the people that knew me best, with the exception of my husband.

Knowing it was coming, though, did not fully prepare me. In fact, I realized I was very deep in denial about the reality of the situation.

I did not lose a pet.

I lost my child, my best friend, and the most unconditional, loving relationship I have ever had (or will ever have) in my life. I can not even begin to explain to you how inseparable we were. And now, I am no longer a whole, complete person. She took a very large portion of me with her.

And now I have a request.

If you are related to me, or a friend, or acquainted with me in any way, please do not bring this up to me if you see me in person. I beg you. This is not a subject I can talk about.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent; Her eager body quivers. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

Author unknown…