To Those Of Us Left Behind

It's been a pretty emotional week for me. A family I hold near and dear to my heart lost a sister, an aunt, and a beloved four-legged companion in the span of three days. How can someone even catch their breath after something like that?

The family member's death was heart wrenching yet expected due to a long illness but the dear pet came as a shock to everyone including myself. I took care of Max over the Christmas holidays and didn't realize at the time just how sick my little buddy was.

January should be a time of new beginnings and new adventures...not a time for saying goodbye. These past few days have reminded me of a time years ago when another friend of mine lost someone very dear to them. I had no words I felt at the time I could say to comfort them so instead I chose the best way I knew to express my feelings. I wrote my friend this poem:

Carry On

by Donna L Martin

When the clouds turn grey

And the path seems long,

When your will to fight

Doesn't seem that strong,

When the world turns away

And you feel you don't belong,

Just keep your head up...carry on.

When the turn of the card

Doesn't come your way,

When you want to give up

At the end of the day,

When friends start to leave

Though you wish they would stay,

Just keep your head up...carry on.

When night time draws near

And the darkness finds you,

When you feel so lost

And don't know what to do,

When something brings pain

And you discover others hurt too,

Just keep your head up...carry on.

When you lose someone you love

and you have to say goodbye,

When the truth begins to hurt

And you start wondering why,

When you know it'll get better

Yet still feel the need to cry,

Just keep your head up...and carry on.

Some people don't quite understand the bond between humans and animals. Some simply see a dog or cat as a costly possession. I don't see them that way. My Tommy is my furry companion, the gatekeeper to my darkest secrets,  and a good foot warmer in times of need. Just like Tommy, Max touched the lives of those closest to him in a way that will be forever remembered with love.

I came across a story a few weeks ago about a young man taken before his time. Zach Sobiech was dreaming of a life full of adventures when it was discovered he had Cancer and was going to die. In the time he had left Zach decided to leave behind as many happy memories of love and laughter as he could. He even wrote a beautiful song to help his loved ones cope with the hole in the fabric of their lives his passing would cause. 

When I first heard Zach's song I cried. But despite my tears I felt an incredibly warm, happy feeling created by the lyrics of this song. I've listened to Zach's song many, many times since then...each time wiping away a tear while I smile.  It's what I would like to think happens to all living things when their time comes to make that journey beyond the here and now.  I hope my dear friends have the strength to read this post one day and uncover the beauty I found in his song as well. And maybe it will bring them a little bit of peace during a difficult time...