The Day After...

Today was filled with ups and downs, moments of support and love.

The day started with moments of sadness as I realized more and more that Haylee is really gone. I am lucky to have such a wonderful best friend--in fact, I consider her to be my sister. I had left her a message last night, she got it this morning. She called me right away, and listened to all that happened. Comforted me while I cried, and supported me in the decision I had to make. Her dog was Haylee's best friend, they grew up together, just like their mamas. He will miss her, and so will her 2 small boys--she told her almost 3 year old what had happened (he is always asking me where Haylee is), and he said, "We should get Auntie Cori a new doggie," how sweet. She is a true lifelong friend, and I treasure that. I love her more than she will know. When I spoke to her at the end of the day, she said that she tried to think of a way to get into my house, so that she could put all Hays' things away and help clean up, so that when I got home, I wouldn't have to see it all. How amazing is that?

There were many moments of tears with colleagues and friends, as I told them what happened. There were touching moments throughout the day that just made me feel love and warmth surround me. We started school with a class meeting. I sat down and told the kids that I was very sad. They had known that Hays was sick. I explained that I had to make the right decision for her, and I had to let her go--of course while I am talking tears are filling my eyes and my voice was quivering. I looked at my students, all sitting quietly, listening, and I noticed that at least half of them were crying with me. They connected with me, they felt sad because I was sad. It meant so much to me. These children had never met Hays. They had seen pictures, heard stories, and yet, they cried with me. So touching.

A parent was in the room in the morning and asked if I was alright. I told her what had happened, she hugged me and said her thoughts were with me. A moment of connection with a woman I barely know.

When I walked into the office one of the secretaries just grabbed me and hugged me. Isn't it amazing the power of a true hug!

There was one point in the day where a friend came in and talked to me about it. I got teary again. Once my friend left, one of my students came up to me and said, "I am really sorry that you lost your dog." It was so sweet. I just hugged him.

Later in the day, I was chatting with a friend at work, and telling her what happened. As I told her, her eyes were filling with tears. She met Hays, only once...but she saw what an amazing dog she was.

All day long, I was receiving email messages, facebook messages, and twitter messages of love and support from my friends. Each and every one of them meant the world to me. If you were one of those that sent me something, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I feel loved and I know that Hays was loved too.

These moments of connection are what got me through my day. Yes, they were moments filled with tears and sadness, but they were moments that connected me with the people around me. I felt loved all day long, and I felt love for Haylee as well.

You are missed every moment...you were a true friend, and an amazing pups!
I love you, Hays!
Rest in Peace
November 19th, 1999-May 26th, 2010