WE NEVER KNOW

 WE NEVER KNOW

I think about that day every now and then…it remains a special one…

a day we decide, on a whim, to change our plans…go to a park 

and watch the setting sun.

I remember as the sun was setting how an orange hue filled the sky.

when a man with his Golden on a leash…happened to walk by.

After exchanging smiles he held up his camera and asked apologetically 

“If you don’t mind…would you please take a few pictures of my dog and me?"

“I’d like a photograph of our last sunset.” He said as tears fell from his eyes.

“You see she’s old and she is sick…and tomorrow we say goodbye.”

“I’ve had her since she was a puppy…and she’s 12 years old this week…

In truth my heart is breaking…even as we speak.”

“I would love to have one last photo together…one more memory before the end.”

So Deborah gladly snapped some pictures…of this man and his best friend.

It was a beautiful sunset…and as I watched the sun gently sliding down the sky

I thought this is truly a wonderful way for them to say goodbye.

Once the photos were taken the man sat down and told us what a good dog she has been….all the while Deborah patted her back while I rubbed that old dog’s chin.

When we departed we were glad we had the sunset…glad for the beautiful weather

and glad we played a small part in their last few moments together.

What I think about now…is how none of it was planned…

how we didn’t end up where we started to go…

but that’s what makes this day so special…because some days…you never know.

You never know if the day you’ve outlined…the hours you’ve diagrammed

will work out the way you thought they would….If everything will go as planned.

I suppose that’s what makes life interesting….

in the midst of the world we are creating…

we never know what wonderful surprises 

are somewhere…out there…waiting.