Me: What lovely photos. It’s Chris’s birthday today.
Nell: It is.
Me: Look at little Dave. And darling Mutley.
Nell: Yes.
Me: The one where he’s cuddling you both is just before he left to fly back to Toronto last year.
Nell: I know.
Me: We didn’t realise what was to come.
Nell: No, but, as I’ve told you before, there is light at the end of the kennel and better times are ahead.
Me: Yes, and he has Shannon and Marvin to celebrate with him today.
Nell: I wrote a poem for Chris. Would you like to hear it?
Me: Very much.
Nell: ‘Marvin the pup has asked me to say
That today is an awfully big sort of day.
It’s a day for celebrations and candles and cake
And a big bowl of fries
And a huge juicy steak.’
Me: You never say fries.
Nell: Marvin is from Texas and lives in Toronto. I am in character.
Me: Oh, I see.
Nell: May I continue?
Me: Of course.
Nell: ‘I said, ‘Whose birthday is it?
May I hazard a guess?
Could it be Chris’s?’
And Marvin said ‘Yes.
Sometimes life isn’t fair
And I know that you miss him
And just wish you were there
To hug and to kiss him.
But please do not worry
About that at all
Because I have enough kisses
To give him from us all.’
So Happy Birthday dear Chris.
Please know you are loved
By all of us here
And by those from above.’
Me: That was beautiful, Nell.
Nell: My pleasure.
Me: Chris lost his father last June and their birthdays were on the same day. So this is the first year he will celebrate without him.
Nell: Yes. I know.
Me: Sorry.
Nell: No need for sorry. Not today.
