As I lay there dying, your face floated into my mind.
Consciously, I knew I was still clinging to life, but on some level, I'd already left this life and headed toward what I knew my version of Heaven would be. I knew because I could hear the tinkling ring of your laughter, feel the warmth of your embrace and get lost in the harmonic melody that was your voice.
I could see you, see how you smiled, smell the scent of the lavender and melon body wash you used. The sun glittered in your hair as the wind caused each strand to dance, as if it were music and your hair a body. Your eyes lit up with that mischievous look you were famous for when you were plotting something.
We were getting in the car, ready for a cross-country Summer road trip. From coast to coast, we were going to hit all the tourist traps along the way, eat at all the roadside stands we could find and camp under the stars in the most remote of locations.
You laughed when I lay in the passenger seat, upside down so my head dangled off the seat. You chuckled when I leaned out the window and let out of a whoop of joy as we drove over a tall bridge. You held me and cried when you accidently hit the racoon that crossed the road too quickly for you to stop.
My mind is getting fuzzy now. I'm discombobulated, floating above myself and watching you as you hold me, sobbing and apologizing. I want, so badly, to go to you and tell you it's okay. I TRY to tell you.
I pray you hear me.
It's dark now, with the smallest of speck of light just on the horizon. I know I'm supposed to go to it, but I'm scared. I don't want to go without you. I glance back, but the door has shut and I can't see you anymore. So I turn and go toward the peaceful feeling emanating from the growing orb. Passing over a creek, I feel relaxed. So I lay down and I wait.
I wait for you.
It felt like my eyes had just closed when I hear your voice. Opening them, I look up and see you crossing the same bridge. I see you looking around, slightly older but still the vibrant person I always knew you to be.
Our eyes lock.
You smile and run toward me.
I smile and run toward you.
You fall to the ground and wrap your arms around my neck.
Inhaling deeply, I smell that familiar scent of lavender and melon and I know we are together again.
"I missed you so much, boy!" you say, tears in your eyes.
Licking the tears from your face, I nuzzle my snout under your chin.
I'm so happy to see you.
"I'm so sorry I had to put you to sleep, boy. But the cancer had spread and you were in pain", you say through your tears.
I bark, hoping you understand that it is okay, that I know you had to do what you felt was best.
Standing, you put my collar back on my neck, the tags clinging together in a melodic sound.
You are my heaven, my best friend.
And at last, we are together again on this side of the Rainbow Bridge.
Today’s post is a writing challenge. This is how it works: participating bloggers picked 4 – 6 words or short phrases for someone else to craft into a post. All words must be used at least once and all the posts will be unique as each writer has received their own set of words. That’s the challenge, here’s a fun twist; no one who’s participating knows who got their words and in what direction the writer will take them. Until now.
My words were "discombobulated ~ upside down ~ heaven ~ road trip ~ smile" and they were submitted by the wonderfully amazing Karen from Baking In A Tornado.
Click the links below to see what my friends have for you.
