Sponsors |
|
|
|
|
The Awful Night
Janet Nelson
Nelson Enterprises
It was an awful night. I lost one of my best friends. We shared our home for 16 years. She had not been acting quite right the entire week. Her nose was stuffy and she was wheezing. I thought it was a simple cold she would get over in a few days.
Then came Saturday and we could spend some time together. I got a good look at her and it was obvious she had lost weight in a short period of time. She needed immediate help so I took her to the hospital. She died peacefully a few hours later, a victim of kidney failure.
My friend was an incredible individual. She came into my life when I had a child care business in the woods of Michigan . It was a beautiful home and she played with the children patiently and tirelessly. She was an asset to the business.
My son and I are survivors of a very ugly divorce. She helped me raise him as a single parent. The comfort and warmth of her companionship and love, helped to heal our wounds.
She was coy in the woods and protected us. When there were raccoons, squirrels, deer, fox, possums, bees and snakes present, she was always the first to know. She could climb a tree at rocket speed and let us know what was just ahead. Her love for us was unconditional, instinctive, enduring and became her life's work.
She became the mother of seven children. Our families co-existed along with all the children that came to play everyday as members of the child care center. We all learned to take care of each other's needs. It was always an ongoing process. We would play to learn and learn to play. There was always something new to do and experience.
The business expanded and my friend became the mascot for a home supply and food co-op that helped to support us as part of the child care business. Parents would pick up their children and groceries from the same place. We were able to survive this way until our children were ready to be away from us.
A decision had to be made. The size of the child care business was limited by state law. Should we stay in the woods of Michigan or go back to Chicago before my son started school? The opportunity and resources of the city won out and we made the radical change from the country to the city. I was not sure my friend would be able to make the transition but none of us had the heart to part. My amazing friend and buddy to my son, never waivered from her commitment to us and learned the wiles and ways of city life. Since making our home in Chicago , we have lived in two apartments and now own a condominium on the near north side.
The excitement of the city just added to my friend's life repertoire of sights, sounds and smells. She made the neighboring back yard located next to our condominium building her special space via a small door that allowed her to freely come and go as she pleased. She became part of the glamour of the city, entertaining our guests and greeting us when we came home after concerts.
Even as she grew older, my friend wisely took care of herself, with my assistance. After all, what would I have done without her inspiration? We were meant to be friends forever. Each phase of life made her more beautiful and wise.
She became a model as one of her final accomplishments. I started another small business that exists today because she helped promote it on the internet. You can see my friend at http://www.tigereyejewels.com and if you like tiger eye gemstone and jewelry, you should visit this website where my friend is modeling our product. I will continue to speak on her behalf through our business.
Few friends ever share so much together. Few friends are blessed to enrich each others lives so completely. Few friends ever offer each other such depth and strength of character.
The awful night is over. My friend is painlessly at peace. Out of love for her, I gave her up when the doctor told me her kidneys could not be repaired. She was sixteen years old.
Do you want to know my friend's name? I thought so. She had three names. They were Amway, Tiger and Kitty. Yes, she was my tabby cat.
Tiger demonstrated many things in her lifetime. All life is precious. Every life has a purpose. Every life makes a difference. Please don't judge others. You must give up arrogance and prejudice in order to love. Celebrate that love every day because true class is built on giving.
My classy friend made the world a better place. We should all go forth and do likewise. In her honor, I hope I do half as well as her.
Author: Janet K. Nelson, Nelson Enterprises, 6/8/2008 (Tiger died at 3:00AM)
Author Biography
Janet K. Nelson has done research and written articles on subjects that range from the cultural to the technical. She is an author noted for integrating information and providing a fresh, clear and whole-picture perspective on her subjects. She has written articles, manuals and perspectives for marketing, cultural, media and distribution organizations. Ms. Nelson has a double BA degree in Music and Speech Communications and a Masters Degree in Business Administration. More information is available via http://www.tigereyejewels.com.
Article submitted Monday, June 16, 2008
This article has been viewed 3 times.
Most Popular |
|
|
|