Some days make you stop and think

On Thursday I started and ended the day bawling my eyes out.

Having a weep at seven in the morning isn't a normal thing for me to do, and the reason wasn't actually anything to do with me at all. It was because of a social media post I read, and the reason it had me in tears was that it was a post from an elderly dog to its owners, telling them not to grieve because he'd passed over the rainbow bridge, but to always remember how much he loved them and that they would be reunited some day. I thought of the dogs I have loved and lost, and I spent the rest of the day with Poppy by my side, constantly telling her I love her and giving her so many pats and cuddles I think I wore a section of her fur away.

Then came the other news, just as the sun was setting. Queen Elizabeth was dead.

Now, it takes a lot for me to shed a tear, but once again for the second time in less than twelve hours I found myself crying.

I never saw Her Majesty in the flesh, I rarely follow royal news or events, and I'm neither for nor against the monarchy. However, Queen Elizabeth has been on the British throne all of my life., and this feels like the end of an era.

It also reminded me very sharply of when I lost my grandmother, ten years ago and almost to the day. Like the Queen, she'd had a long life - she was 103 years old! - and like the Queen, she had her family at her bedside at the end.

It reminded me that our elderly loved ones won't be there forever, whether they be our pets or our relatives, and that we should cherish every moment we have with them because one day they won't be here...

Love you, Gran x