Thoughts on mortality

My having been in a war (Korea), seeing destruction and many deaths in a graphic, grotesque fashion, could never lessen my pain of a personal loss. I recently lost a loved one early one morning, and my being at her side may have made it a bit more comforting for her, but very difficult for me. Her demise, no doubt a blessing in disguise to end her suffering.

Yes, she liked to run around, play games, sometimes stay up late and even enjoy junk food, and in her last days drank a lot, but I understood. She never wanted me to go anywhere without her. We never argued politics nor played the blame game, and her trust, love and loyalty toward me never wavered. Fun mornings, hectic days, long walks, quiet evenings, and now my remaining life without her will never be the same.

We never discussed this end-of-life thing till it was too late, so the final decision of cremation was mine alone since I knew she wouldn’t insist on the pomp of a traditional burial, but my thoughts drifted toward a headstone inscription: “Hey there, friend, as you walk by, as you are now, so once was I; as I am now, you’ll be one day, so be prepared to walk this way.”

My beloved little girl and constant companion, Mandy, resided for a short time at the Bella Vista animal shelter, and adopted me when she was 8 months old. Folks, I firmly believe that many of God’s four-legged creatures are far more loyal, loving, trustworthy and compassionate than many humans I’ve met. Dumb people, no doubt. Dumb animals? I think not! AARON R. STRATMAN

Bella Vista