Moment of Zen: Friends

Honestly, I almost didn't do a Moment of Zen this week.  For me, moments of zen are things that make me happy, things that having a calming effect.  There has not been much joy or calm this week.  Since Monday morning when I couldn't find HRH, then that afternoon, when it found her outside and had to rush her to the vet, I have done little but worry about her.  Then Thursday, I lost her.  It's been a very difficult and emotionally draining week. A week that will take a long time to get over.

Then I thought about all the comments and emails that I received from readers.  I thought of all the phone calls and texts from people who had found out that HRH passed.  I thought about the way my students and fellow faculty reacted with sorrow and hugs.  Yes, they may have often picked at me a bit about my cat, but they knew how much I cared for her.  Many of them have lost a pet as well.  It didn't make me any less sad, but the love and concern others showed made it a little easier to deal with yesterday.

I wanted to make another mention of a bright spot of the week.  I had written a review of Amy Lane's books, and sent her an email asking a question.  She responded so kindly and generously.  I also heard from quite a number of her fans Thursday, which was a bright spot in an otherwise dark day.  I have to admit though, Amy's books might not be the best to read when you're sad.  Yes, there is usually the happy ending to them, but there is a lot of angst along the way.  

Amy Lane knows how to pull at your heart strings.  She pulled at a particularly recent heart string yesterday as I was reading.  One of the characters in Making Promises, Shane Perkins who is an animal lover, said, "I'm sorry I was late.  I had to put down one of my cats."  I burst into tears.  I'd held myself together all day, but I couldn't contain it anymore. I couldn't read anymore either, especially since I was actually listening to the audiobook while driving.  It's not safe to have tears distort your vision while driving.  Then I decided to listen to a little more before bed.  If I was going to cry more, then I could do so alone.  I didn't though.  Shane described his older regal cat and how sick she had become.  Yes, it reminded me of HRH, but the tenderness of the story helped.  Like I said Thursday, Amy has a way of writing real characters with whom you can identify.

Thank you all for the love and support, the emails and comments, you helped make a difficult situtation better.