And now we are two.

Merica

For over 14 years, every single day, I’ve assured my girl Scout, “I love you, and I will never, ever leave you.”

Pickerington, Ohio (2011)

This afternoon, I held her close to me and told her the same thing as she took her final breaths.

I kept my promise to my best friend.

Harrison, Arkansas (2022)

She let me know late this morning, in a way that I would understand, that she was too tired to fight any longer. Her race was run.

I gave her one last gift, that of compassion. She was true to me, and I stayed true to her.

I am bereft.

Now it’s The Mountain, Smudge, and me. Somehow we’ll learn to carry on without our sweet and loyal friend.

Midland, South Dakota (2021)

I love you, Scout.

Published