The Longest Goodbye

Thirteen

                          John

It's the day of the funeral. We're all standing around her black casket as the preacher begins quoting Jade's favorite passage of Scripture. Isaiah 40:28-31.

There's not a dry eye around the grave yard. It's cold and windy but still more than a hundred people stand around the dirt hole that Jade's body sits over.

There were many more at the church service yesterday, but I'm still surprised at the turn out today.

Champ has been crazy lately. He hasn't barked or lifted his ears since Jade passed. The only thing he does now is stand outside my house and let out a terribly lonely howl for hours every night.

As the preacher finishes up, I and my brothers along with Drake and Ed put our gardenia flowers on the casket. A prayer is said, and just like that the people go there separate ways to their cars.

I walk up to Ed, knowing what Jade had out in her will. She wanted this done, so I'm going to respect it.

Champ slowly follows me as I guide him with the leash. Ed stares at me with red eyes as I approach.

"She wanted you to have Champ." I say.

Tears fill his eyes. "Really?"

I nod as Ed bends down in his suit. Champ whines and licks his tears away. I know Jade made the right decision, but since Champ was so close to Jade, I wish I could keep him. But I don't because I know that Jade wants it like this.

Lisa comes over to my side. "You ready to leave?" She asks gently.

I look over at Jade's casket that still hovers above the deep hole. I nod my head and slowly start walking away.

As I walk I hear a bark and turn to find Champ rushing over to me. I bend down and he licks my cheek. I smile and look into his drown eyes. He presses his head against my hand before turning and going back to Ed.

I stand knowing that just as Jade said goodbye, Champ is doing the same, telling me that he'll miss me, but that he's in a better place.

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Losing a loved one can feel like your heart has literally broken. You can't dwell on their death though, you have to remember the good times. And if you hold on to those memories tight enough, you'll be able to let that person go.
                                           ~HW