Loss

It’s just gone.

I swear I saw a cute little market around here somewhere, but for the life of me I can’t remember the street I was on when I saw it.  It’s like it was here one day and gone the next.  It sold fresh fruit and veggies, along with items that looked “WholeFoods-ish”.  While I am getting my exercise meandering the neighborhood looking for it, people must think that I am lost.

In class today, I learned the Spanish word for a person who is absent-minded and always losing things.  I’d tell you what it is but I can’t find my notebook.  Other things of mine have gone missing recently like my desire to run and my giant bar of chocolate.  But I think those two things are related.

Eleven years ago, we adopted Toby from the humane society.  He was lost and we were looking for a friend.  Sammie and Toby bonded, so when we lost him this week, she took it pretty hard.  I watched her cry, rubbed her back, and held her tight.  I don’t what is harder: mourning a loss or watching someone you love grieve.  The tears will not bring Toby back, but we let them flow to cleanse our souls.

I am proud of both girls for handling the loss of a pet with grace and maturity.  I watch them navigate life and the streets of Valencia all on their own and marvel at the young women they are becoming.  While they are sometimes unsure of exactly what turn to take, they seem to know where they are going.  We are learning that difficult roads can lead to beautiful destinations.

I don’t know where Toby is now.  I don’t know where my chocolate is, and I don’t know which street my market is on.  But to help navigate this sad day, I’ve found my desire to run. I’ve also just found my notebook, so maybe I’m not as despistada as I thought.

A girl and her dog.