As part of my one thousandth post celebration, I promised that I would publish my top ten most popular posts, but also share some older posts that didn't get as much attention. And Summer Will Not Come Again first appeared on my blog on June 12, 2010. You might recognize the title, as it's the same as that of a well-known short story by Sylvia Plath. Get a tissue. You might wipe your eyes a bit after you read this one.
Gentle Readers,
Robin has come here to live.
Robin has come here to die.
Robin is some sort of bulldog mix. She has had I don't know how many litters of puppies. She has a terrible limp. She has a scar around her neck from being chained. Her ribs are sticking out.
And she has cancer. About four months to live, according to the vet.
My son's young lady love wants her to know what happiness is before she dies, and I think she already has it figured out.
Happiness is curling up in a chair in the family room and getting your tummy scratched.
Happiness is regular meals.
Happiness is a fenced in back yard where you can run with the other dogs and feel free but safe.
Happiness is batting at Mom's arm when she's reading to make sure Mom doesn't forget you for one second and you don't get in trouble for wanting attention.
Happiness is getting into Mom's bed at night and cuddling up as close to Mom as you can get.
I named her Robin because it is still spring. Summer will arrive soon, but right now, at this moment, it is still spring and the robins return in the spring.
So Robin has come to us during the spring. We will see her through the summer and care for her and give her all the love she wants and needs.
Then when fall arrives and it is time for the dying that precedes winter, we will see Robin through her death and we will make sure the death is as calm and gentle as possible.
Robin, you are loved.
Robin, this is what happiness is.
I am so glad you are here.
Love,
Lola
My motto as an editor: Authors are the authority on their work. I'm a full-service editor. For a reasonable fee, I'm your writing coach from the first suggested revision to the correction of the final typo.
Oh dang it all to heck! Sniffling, crying mess right now! That is just the most wonderful thing, giving a dog love at the end of it's life, so it will know what happiness is. Ugh, sad!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I've asked some of my friends and family to send a card to Margaret, as well. I figured asking on my blog wouldn't help all that much, since almost all of my readers are your readers, too. A few people told me they would send a card, so hopefully that will help! All will be from Michigan, except possibly, hopefully one from France.
Gosh, I just read it again, and I feel weepy. Thank you so much for helping with the card requests. I appreciate it so much.
DeleteOh this is sad alright. My dog had cancer for a long time and at the end it suffered so much we had to put him to sleep last year.
ReplyDeleteYes I would love to send your MIL a card. What is her name and when is the birthday? If it is round the corner can ask my sister to send it to your from there. Because it will take around two weeks for it to come from here. Let me know. Thanks
www.thoughtsofpaps.com
Two weeks is fine, PAPS, or ask your sister if it's easier for you. Her name is Margaret. Please send the card to Janie Goltz, PO Box 61371, Jacksonville FL 32236. Thanks so much! You are a sweetheart.
DeleteIt's hard losing a loved one, but the memories they leave behind are priceless. =)
ReplyDeleteI'll never forget Robin. She would get in the middle of my bed and refuse to move.
DeleteAwww. That is so sad yet so beautiful. Robin is a great name and I'm sure she knows everything you said.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Barb. Happy Thanksgiving!
DeleteOK, you were right about the tissue. Such an awesome story. I know Robin learned about love and gave you all she had to give, too. Good job, Janie Junebug.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving!
Thanks, Carol. Robin definitely received lots of love.
DeleteAw. That's so sweet!
ReplyDeleteHappy Hanukkah, Mama!
DeleteI saw my friend with cancer today. She's totally bald and very upbeat. I am going to a visitation tonight. Another friend's father just died of cancer. Sorry to be a downer, but I think that's a first for me on your blog.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad my friend was upbeat. I think she'll beat it.
I read this recently. :)
Cancer sucks. I took care of a lot of people with cancer when I worked at the nursing home. It's not a pretty way to die. I'll pray for your friend.
DeleteOn a not so brighter note, I saw Vera Drake and liked it. It was well done. I'm about to watch the Carrie Fisher movie, and I'm ready to laugh.
DeleteVera Drake is good, but kind of sad. Sad doesn't bother me when it's well made. Let me know if Carrie Fisher makes you laugh. I thought she was hilarious.
DeleteI hope you appreciate just how hard it is to type a comment with tears in your eyes. Great post.
ReplyDeleteOh, quit being such a crybaby.
DeleteJanie, bless you for giving Robin a chance to experience love and happiness.
ReplyDeleteThank you, but I loved having her here. She had so much love to give.
DeleteMissed this one the first time around, but it's excellent!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I hope you have a nice Thanksgiving.
DeleteDammit, woman, you made me cry. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving.
Oh, get over it. I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving.
DeleteMy daughter Hannah just lost her little dog Roxanne (chihuahua) to cancer. The vet thinks she was used as a breeder and dumped when she was no longer useful. She was with us nearly three years and we gave her the very best life we could. She passed away in Hannah's arms and we are all hurting here. Your story reminded me to always be kind, no matter what and what a difference we can make for someone hurting! Thank you and I am new visiting you from Alphabe Thursday! Hugs Anne
ReplyDeleteRobin also was dumped, most likely because she had cancer. God bless you for taking in Roxanne. Hannah, I know you miss her, but you gave her a good life.
DeleteApparently, I'm far from the only one who read this through tear-filled eyes. Happy Thanksgiving, Janie!!
ReplyDeleteI wish you and Bud a blessed Thanksgiving, fishducky.
DeleteWell, that was sad, but it was also hopeful. It holds out hope that more of mankind will care for the ill amongst us.
ReplyDeleteWe really must. Favorite Young Man has taken in a number of stray dogs, cleaned them up, had them fixed, and then found homes for them. We can't always rely on organizations to do what we can do ourselves.
DeleteOh, tears!!! What a beautiful, loving heart you have my friend~ happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteNot loving her would have been impossible.
DeleteSo glad for Robin, though.
ReplyDeletePeace at the last.
Oh, yes. Thank God.
DeleteOh come on! Why'd you have to reprint the saddest thing of all time? That was really beautiful, though. By the way, I didn't see your comment asking to help out with the letter campaign but I'll try to get something up on Friday.
ReplyDeleteI might be able to come up with something sadder. I'll look through my old posts. Goal: Make Pickleope cry.
DeleteTalk about sad, but at least Robin knew what true happiness was before she died
ReplyDeleteShe most definitely enjoyed her time here.
Delete:( Hope she had a very happy spring & summer.
ReplyDeleteI think she did. I certainly enjoyed my time with her.
DeleteThis is why having fallen so hard for Eddie terrifies me. I know the day will come...but I also know I'm a much better human for having loved him.
ReplyDeleteAndi