Old Friend

Driving through Newton on a Thursday morning moving from task to task on my list, I glanced briefly at the oncoming car. And in that instantaneous moment, just a breath of life really, I saw a man driving and his dog standing, front paws between the seats and head next to his owner’s . And in that moment, the man reached up and pulled his dog’s snout over to plant a loving kiss on that soft muzzle. In my mind time stopped; A photo snapped; and I was pulled, as if by the tidal force of memory, back nearly twenty years to the love of my life.

The man’s hand was my own and the dog standing between the seats was Simba. And I could feel her muzzle beneath my lips, and I could feel the love pass between us. And as I savored the moment, so rich and vivid, with all my senses, I realized it was on a sunny valentines day in West Palm Beach that I picked Simba up from the animal shelter and we drove to the park to begin our adventures together. Thank you Simba for not only coming into my life that day, but for visiting me today on this Valentine’s Day. I will always love you.