The rising sun was a faint glow peeking through the trees on the eastern horizon and the moon sparkled brightly in the western sky as the pup engaged her early morning run. Still cool, the crisp morning sparked thoughts of the previous day’s shocking news. Flooded with memories of her always welcoming smile and her effervescing personality, my mind went immediately to sadness at the loss of this dear friend to cancer. The grief that overwhelmed the day before came rushing back like a raging torrent. I recalled the loss of another dear friend just the year before and the passing of a beloved cousin and suddenly the sparkling morning was blurred by a river of tears. Along with the stream of tears began to emerge thoughts of gratitude. Gratitude for the opportunity to have known such inspiring and loving people began to occupy my mind. As I uttered words of thankfulness my mind swelled with the joy that comes only in the presence of heartfelt appreciation for having experienced these dear ones in my life. I looked down and the pup was sitting in front of me gazing up as if to say “we can go back inside now.” Grief, Parkinson’s concerns and morning haze began to fade away in the glow of gratitude that came to reside in my thoughts that hour. The two (grief and Parkinson’s) have not departed but they now occupy a smaller space engulfed in the embrace of gratitude. Gratitude is a guest whose welcome is never over stayed. Perhaps it is among the grandest of companions!
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