Today was a hard day. It should have been such an exciting day of preparation for our Blessings Breakfast. There was so much to do to get our home ready, and Michelle is here and always makes our home so full of life and energy. Christmas and gratitude are in the air. Shelly was here last night and got the cleaning started with her selfless offer of help. All week long, we have experienced the support of Mike and Cosmo who traveled from Kansas City to help Sam finish up a myriad of projects in time for tomorrow.

There is so much love in this home, put here by those who are closest to us and wanted to lend a hand.

We woke up this morning and noticed Natia having trouble breathing. After an emergency visit to the mobile vet, we learned that she was in congestive heart failure and had a grade five heart murmur. She received a shot and heart meds, and we tentatively took her home, still breathing hard but hopeful it would subside.

It did not.

This afternoon, my companion for over a decade, the little one who walked with me through the darkest of days…passed away in my arms.

My mom had a birthday in heaven yesterday. Today, she received a belated birthday present. I am choosing to believe that mom and Natia are happy tonight, together once again.

Today was our fifth anniversary. Not exactly the way we would have celebrated, but I am grateful for these five years as Sam’s partner, and I am so grateful he was by my side today as we told Natia goodbye together.