It's been 14 years since you were taken for us. I have the pictures your mother gave me. Two are framed, one in my living room and the other in my bedroom. The smaller two in a photograph book and the other on my fridge. They are bittersweet. They bring me comfort and I don't feel alone anymore on days when I do feel completely alone.
When friends stop by to visit and see your pictures they ask "Who is this?" and I say that's my friend. And I leave it at that.
I can not bear to tell them you passed. It will only bring up the next question of "How?". I will not tell them.
I tell them how I see you. You are happy and with friends and surrounded by all the animals you can possibly care for. You are missed by so many people.
I still smile when I think of the time you said "I know I am a vegetarian, but I really do miss hamburgers and pepperoni pizza sometimes, is that bad?"
I thank God that I had the chance to know you.
I miss you and I love you.