Quiet down and listen up, said the messenger. She is grieving, mourning her latest loss. She needs to know that you are all right. If you want to go, go now.

Then my lap was full of happy, laughing dogs all squirming to get closer to me, the closest one Meggie. her grin as wide as mine. My arms lifted as I hugged all five. Off the farthest was Mimi, her gentle soul reflected in her serene smile. She knew she was the one who would be closest to me through all time.

I cried. Through my tears I laughed.