“Hi, Little One. Whatcha doing?”
“I’m missing Lucy.”
“Come up here, and let’s talk.”
“How do you stop missing someone you love, Dad?”
“I don’t think you ever stop missing those you love, Twiggy. The key is to replace the pain of missing them with the wonderful memories you shared.”
“Like what?”
“I know you don’t remember this, but look at this photo.”
“That’s Lucy. OMG, that’s puppy me hanging on to her.”
“How about this one?”
“That’s Lucy and me playing puma and water buffalo. We loved that.”
“And you two chillin’ on the patio.”
“We did that a lot. We both enjoyed it.”
“How about Lucy trying to teach you how to lick the dishes in the dishwasher.”
“She still enjoyed that, and I wasn’t very good at it.”
“You both loved those sunny days in the yard.”
“We sure did. We had such fun out there.”
“Of course, passing out on the cold floor was a specialty.”
“Oh, that floor felt so good. I still do that and think about Lucy.”
“Remember trying to figure out a new tool?”
“Lucy was so good at getting to the bottom of things.”
“You seemed to enjoy the snow.”
“It was the first time ever. Lucy was an old hand ’cause she had seen it before.”
“How about you two trying on Christmas sweaters?”
“Poor Lucy was miserable. Hers was too small. I liked mine, though.”
“Now there’s a photo.”
“I loved taking naps with Lucy. She was always so warm.”
“So, what do you think?”
“I will always miss her but should concentrate on what we shared and remember the good times.”
“It will still hurt, Little One, but those memories will help you smile through that hurt. Dr. Seuss gives us good advice when he said, ‘Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.'”
“I can see that, Dad. I think it is time to play ball. Toss it, please.”
“There you go, Little One.”
“Thanks, Dad. Rest well, Lucy. I got this.”
Fiction Favorites 
Condolences on your loss of Lucy, John. In answer to your question, take the moments you need to grieve, and celebrate your memories. ❤
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Thank you, Debby.
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🙂
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😊
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Aww what a lovely heartfelt post. Lovely photo memories.
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They are. Thank you, Charlotte.
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Just the right advice.
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Thank you, Traci.
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Reblogged this on https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you for sharing, Michael.
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Condolences also from me, John! Really sad news. Thanks for the lovely memories. xx Michael
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Thank you for your kind thoughts, Michael.
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A beautiful post, John. I saw it on Thursday but had to build up to reading it. Hugs.
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Thank you, Robbie. 😊
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All those memories of Lucy will help with her loss. Hugs for Twiggy…
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Thank you, Jaye She is getting better every day which is a blessing.
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Bless her, John…
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Thanks, Jaye.
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XX
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😊
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This is a lovely tribute, John, and I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope you’re able to follow you’re own advice to Twiggy – hard as it must be. A funny and poignant post. Hugs
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Thank you, Trish. Yes my advice to Twiggy is relevant to the family as well. We have wonderful memories to help with the pain. 😊
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John, I’m so sorry about Lucy. She was an important member of your family and a sweet girl {{hugs}}
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Thank you, Jacquie. We miss her but do have wonderful memories. 😁
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It’s just seems all wrong ‘liking’ this post. Sending our best condolences. That Dr. Seuss guy had it right, it still hurts the heart though. 💔 Tender albeit digital ear and belly rubs for Twiggy.
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Thank you, Monika. A like is a wish for peace for you and I.
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Time is our double-edged sword these days. First because they didn’t get to stay with us and secondly because now that they are gone, time moves so slowly magnifying the loss. Tender wishes for peaceful times in the future.
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Thank you, Monika. I wish the same for you.
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Tears here. For Lucy, resting in peace; for Twiggy, so lonesome; and for you and your family. When one of our furry LO’s pass, they leave such a huge empty spot.
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Thank you so much, Pam. She is missed for sure.
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When “our Henry” passed, I made a beautiful (I say modestly) album of Henry from puppyhood to old age. We love looking at it still from time to time (and it’s been 8 years!).
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I understand that. We have hundreds of photos of Lucy. I have some favorites that bring back beautiful memories. I took a last photo the morning she passed. She was sleeping peacefully without a care. It’s nice to remember her that way. Thanks.
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Beautiful post John ! I’ve a lot to catch up on but it’s heart warming to see that through helping Twiggy you all are also healing yourselves as a family there!
Replacing sadness with smiles takes effort at first but will always lighten the soul … stay blessed and keep inspiring us all !!
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You are so right about helping us all. Thank you for your kind words, Shagun.
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