One Plus One Equals Three

-

Most of life exists in the area where things make sense.

One plus one equals two.

Yet, the excitement of life exists in the more abstract moments where one plus one equals three.

Springsteen spoke of it in his Broadway Show, saying that it’s the magical moments where when things don’t seem to make sense...

...beauty shines through.

Melky’s remarkable life came to an end yesterday and I spent the hours before trying to rationalize it.

She was hurting.

She had a wonderful life.

She knew how much we all loved her.

But one plus one doesn’t equal two in those situations.

I couldn’t handle it for a few minutes and I kept thinking about how she’d cry when she put eyes on me when I got back from work, or how she cajoled and chided me into taking her for a ride or giving her more bones.

One plus one equaled three and there was love between a dog and the members of the family.

No one else was around.

Despite knowing that she would no longer feel pain, I was shaken with grief knowing that she would no longer be here.

I bowed my head and the tears came...

...and then Paris appeared to my left.

She nestled in close, licked the side of my face.

“Good girl.”

Magical moment.

Could Paris actually know?

Of course she did.

One plus one equals three...

...where music is created, books are written, marriages happen, love happens...

...even between a dog who is no longer here and one who stood tall and offered me comfort right when I needed it.

Gonna’ take a little while, but we are all searching for moments of magic.

Melky provided plenty.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more