BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER

There are three distinct stages in any relationship that stand out undeniably. Three phases of any connection we make with our pets, friends and family. There is the time before we were blessed to know them…before they came into our life. The time before partners, pets, children, grandchildren, friendships, a husband or a wife. There is the time during which we know them..when in so many subtle ways their love helps us navigate the world…as we change a little every day. And there is the time after they are gone… A time, if we stop to think about, we fear. A time when, for whatever reason, in our life they’re no longer here. Before is a hopeful stage…it’s like how in winter we anticipate the spring… since we haven’t met them yet we have no idea what joy into our life they’ll bring. During is an easy stage…as the two of us connect as we build a relationship mixed with joy and sorrow…and mutual respect. After is the most difficult stage! Before…we never knew them. During is filled with all the experiences we build our love and relationship on… but we are only left with memories…after they are gone. I imagine the best we can do… Is to fill our during with as much love as we can with as much joy and happiness and laughter…. so we’ll have a host of wonderful memories to fill up all our afters.