A Full Summer — and Goodbye to My Best Friend, Babe
Summer 2019 has been full.
Not necessarily because of one huge milestone, but because of all the little moments that make up a life worth living.
There have been races, bowling weekends, plays, time with friends, Royals games, and adventures with the people (and animals) who make my life better.
Little did I know, but this summer would also bring one of the hardest goodbyes I’ve ever had to say.
Paint, Plays, and Good Company
The summer started with simple fun.
Paint and sip night – an eventing spent laughing, creating, and making memories.
June brought more adventures, including three different plays with friends, including The Wizard of Oz at Starlight. And of course, a few Royals games — always a favorite!
Running and Racing
Running continues to be a big part of my life.
The marathon may be behind me, but I am not done running.
June brought three more races, including back-to-back 10Ks.
There were also bowling tournaments filling weekends with friends — another constant in my life.
The finish lines were fun, but the bigger picture is that I was continuing something I started the last year. I am still showing up.
One Last Adventure with Babe
In the middle of all the busyness, there was one quieter adventure that ended up meaning more than I could have known.I took Babe kayaking.
Babe was thirteen years old. He couldn’t run beside me anymore like he once did, but he still loved the water, being outside, and most importantly, being wherever I was.
Babe has been with me through so much.
He was there when I started running.
He was there through the rebuilding years after my divorce.
He was there for hikes, adventures, camping trips, and countless ordinary days.
He wasn’t just my dog.
He was my buddy.
Over the Fourth of July weekend, we took the RV camping. Babe came along, just like always. He rode with me, sat by the campfire, and watched fireworks with us.
A few days later, I had to say goodbye – he passed peacefully laying in his favorite bed.
Goodbye, My Friend
For thirteen years, Babe was part of my everyday life.
He was my hiking buddy.
My running buddy.
My kayaking buddy.
My camping buddy.
He was there through so many seasons of my life, and I honestly can’t imagine those years without him.
There isn’t really a way to prepare for losing a friend who has been such a constant part of your life.
But I am grateful.
Grateful for thirteen years of adventures.
Grateful for every trail, every ride, every camping trip, and every ordinary day that he made better simply by being there.
Some goodbyes come too soon.
But the memories they leave behind stay with us forever.
