I Cried Her Tears

Good morning…

A few weeks back, I woke to a painful text.

“So sorry to have been so out of pocket. So very much going on. However, tonight I am sitting here with sweet Tess. Just have not been able to talk about it since hearing last week. She if full of cancer.

I saw a friend who is also a cancer survivor at the farmers’ market and was able to get the truth out. She said so kindly that maybe Tess just took all the cancer from me. Probably true: such a good dog. All those days and nights on my bed – – – through cancer and repeated bouts of meningitis. Thought maybe she would make a month, now hoping through the night. Thinking we will take her in the morning to the vet. Probably nothing can be done. Really sad. Please say a little prayer that Tess is comfortable through the night. We will likely all go together as a family in the morning. I know you understand how much we love this sweet dog.

We will catch up soon. Please know that in my quiet, you stay in my prayers.”

Right away I called and instantly our voices met. We verbally unpacked her stuffed suitcase of emotions. Three quarters of the way through our talk I began to cry. I shamelessly shed tears of softened solidarity. My dear friend does not cry often, so I cried tears for both of us, releasing our pain into the nest of God’s hands. These are same gentle-strong hands soon to reach down and scoop up Tess’ loving spirit, cradling her face to face, free of pain, forever.