Photo by Angela Kirk

After a  hearty Sunday morning breakfast of eggs and bacon, Doc continued sitting at the breakfast table while I waited patiently for her to give me her leftovers. Ignoring me, she was focused on reading the paper when I noticed her energy began to shift. I watched as her facial expression changed and then she abruptly arose from her seat and walked toward the bathroom without saying a word. I followed right behind her wondering what had she read in the paper that upset her so.

I found her hunched over the bathroom counter, tissue in hand as tears began streaming down her face. I sat next to her quietly, leaning into her leg so she would know I was there if she needed me. As she dabbed her eyes she looked at me and said “Lets go for a walk Grover.”

It just so happened that it was a beautiful day and as we walked toward the park I could tell that Doc was trying to process whatever it was that made her so sad. I didn’t say I word. Sometimes you just need to literally walk beside someone through their sadness.

Finally we came to the special place by the pond that Doc loves so much. I jumped up on the rock so I could look her in the eye and that is when she bent down and began to speak. ” I am sad because I read in the paper the my childhood friend has died. He lived next door and I can remember us playing together from the time I was 4. He was a year older than me, but always patient and kind even though I was younger and could be bossy sometimes. We remained best friends until his family moved away when we were in grade school.  The last time I saw him was in junior high but for all these years I have held him in my heart. Children’s love for each other is so special and pure Grover and today I feel a piece of my heart is missing with his passing.

We walked back to the house in silence and when we got home I asked her, ” Can I share this in my blog this week? I think there are many people especially during the holidays that are silently grieving over loved ones that they miss.”  ” Of course,” she said. “People need to know they are not alone in their loss and that it is ok to talk about their pain.”

So for all of you that have lost someone you love, may you find some comfort in the special memories that you hold so dear during this holiday season.