Day 420

This girl misses her boy! From the day we brought Lilly and Ranger home, a bond was formed between Jimmy and our Golden Girl that has blossomed for ten years.

Saying goodbye, in any form, means moving on. Even though there is often sadness, the world continues to spin. Night becomes morning, days become weeks and we continue to "adapt and overcome" the loss we feel. Humans (and dogs) are so resilient!

There are certainly losses that are not burdened with sadness. When I was finally done going to school, it took quite some time to change my habits. I distinctly recall reading the back of a cereal box, after my last graduation, and closing my eyes to recall the facts I had read. It was a few months before I could read anything for enjoyment!

Retirement is another "goodbye." I never looked back, but after 34 years in elementary classrooms, I found that I missed the children with their joy and exuberance. I still hold those children and their families close to my heart.

Whatever emotion accompanies a goodbye, the world moves forward and we seem to (eventually) jump on the merry-go-round of life and hang on... sometimes for dear life!

We will miss Jimmy, Lilly's boy, but find joy in seeing him live out his dream. As for Lilly, she will be getting a bigger portion of the love showered on our Golden crew for the next little bit.