Love Lesson

Maggie was a remarkable dog. Beautiful, sleek black coat, big brown eyes, so smart, loved life. Her best buddy was Josie, a little ball of white fur who ran on high octane. Josie ran the household at my daughter’s home, while Maggie made life exciting for Sue and me. Neither dog ever tired of chasing a tennis ball or making us laugh when they were together. Josie seemed sad when Maggie died. Animals know more than we think, don’t they. And it wasn’t long before illness took Josie. Our family grieved for both of them and I still feel a little lump in my throat when I remember how they loved each other.

I mention this because I found a sheet of paper tucked into one of my files recently and it contained the words that I share with you today. I titled it “Reunion” and imagined the moment when Maggie and Josie met again.

“Josie, is that you? I’ve looked for you every day, thinking that you might come running across the field. And then I saw a flash of curly, white hair and I knew. That’s Josie! Come on, let me show you all the wonderful parts of this beautiful place. There are no fences, just fields for play. No leashes, nothing to hold us back. See over there…that’s Tillie chasing the ball and Clipper is rolling in the yellow flowers. I told them about you, how you danced when people knocked on your door and how you slid on the tile chasing your stuffed toy. And don’t worry about your seizures. They’re gone! Follow me, Josie, Let’s run in the wind and chase the golden leaves. I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve missed you.”

Tell me why people can’t give love and affection like God’s other creatures? Over-the-top, without limits, no-strings-attached love. We have so much to learn from the least among us. Someday. Thank you, God, for unconditional love, and for the creatures, great and small, who bless us. Thank you for Maggie and Josie and all our beloved friends who run through the fields of joy forever.