One Month

One month. It passed by pretty quickly. They all do. But this was our first month without Benji. I hadn’t realized that exactly one month ago today my family made one of the toughest decisions of our lives – to let Benji go.  And then I looked at the calendar and saw the date staring back at me.

I realize how we take time for granted. I’m busy now. I will visit my family, tomorrow. Or next week. Or next month. And then one day you turn around and the opportunities you took for granted – to see loved ones, to accomplish a goal – they’re gone.

Tonight I will be surrounded by loved ones who will gather around my table for Passover. There are plenty of family and friends whom I cherish, who will not be in attendance because of geography and other life obligations. But there will be a select few who mean the world to me who will be here.

I will cherish the time we spend together. I would have cherished it even if I had not been reminded on February 25 how fleeting life is. But because of that reminder I will be more appreciative and more grateful for the gifts I have been given.

One month ago today, I could barely breathe. Tonight I will celebrate an ancient holiday. In my mind though, that cup that’s reserved for Elijah, will be for Benji.