Dominic

Thursday night I sent a friend to heaven for you, but you already knew that, you sent a rainbow into my back yard to let me know you were waiting to welcome him to heaven with you. Thank you for that, it comforted us all. 

I remember when you were starting to feel pretty sick I brought him with me one Sunday. Mom had told me you were having trouble following and remembering conversations. When he came into the living room with me you were on the computer and you looked at him and smiled and petted him and he licked you and rubbed on you, like always. You asked me how he was and I said “he has cancer, but he’s doing alright” and you said, “I know he has cancer, that’s how come I asked how he was” later on, at dinner, you looked at Mom and said, ”you know he has cancer” and gestured to him and rolled your eyes and shook your head in disgust, like you always did when you disapproved of something that was happening. Needless to say, we were all pretty surprised…but you always did love him and he really loved you. He always loved coming to your house, he loved hanging out on the deck and roaming the yard with the kids. I have a great picture of him getting a bath in the back yard after rolling in something super gross in the yard. I will never forget the time I left him at the house to go get something and he chased some kids away from the house while Mom screamed after him- your house was home to him too, and you were family too. So now, be sure he’s with you up there, please, keep him for me until I get there too. He’s a great protector, so if anything negative tries to come your way- trust me- he won’t let it happen. He’s whatever you need him to be- a friend, guardian, playmate, confident, whatever you need whenever you need it, so hold him close for me okay? And tell him thank you, I know he wanted to go the week after you did, but he held strong and made himself feel better, hid his struggles and was strong for me until at least a couple days went by without me totally breaking down and he was certain his son could try to step in and shoulder his share of the burden of taking care of me. I am glad he has a friendly face up there, someone to love him until I am back with you both again, and when you come check on us-which I know is often- bring him with you, please, let him travel with you- he’s the perfect forever friend.  Another hole in my life….my heart and soul crushed again…..but now, at least when I think of both of you, I can know you have good company and I can be certain you both are waiting together for us.