January 26, 2010
“What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us.” -Henry David Thoreau
“Didn’t you have two bulldogs?” asked the woman. I’ve passed her many times on the trail, and she just realized this morning she hadn’t seen Cain in some time. We paused for brief conversation, as our dogs tugged eagerly on their leashes. In a soft voice I answered her question, but not without that familiar choke of tears. Her expression was one that has become familiar to me as she shared a story of losing one of her dog years earlier. My heart went out to her as a tear slowly trace her face, and I thought to myself how time can only place distance on togetherness, while the memories stay fresh in our heart. Our dogs began to dance in place, impatiently telling us it was time to move on. We wished each other well and with a smile and imaginary hugs, continued in opposite directions tucking the emotions just beneath the surface.
