Acceptance

It had been a devastating time for all when Norbit left us suddenly. It took us all a while to get used to the fact that Norbit is gone forever. We all missed him terribly. And truthfully, my heart still wrenches as the nasty memories attack me from time to time - him fighting for his life on the operation table, eventually struggling to get close to the oblivious me when he was near his death, his limp body as the vet tried to resuscitate him, the words that finalized his life...

Jo said she was sorry that I had to be the one to witness the entire ordeal and for selfish reasons, she was in a way blessed to be spared from the agony. But a large part of me was glad that I was there with him when he needed me most. I just wish for Norbit to know that we all loved him.

It is still painful now, but it gets better and it will pass. In time, I know, I will think about Norbit and smile instead of crying.

JX said, "That's it. We'll not have any pets," after rushing to my side and witnessing my crumbled state when he heard the news.

My heartbroken parents were also a little apprehensive in getting another pet now. My dad went, "See, I told you. You have to expect this when you get a pet. You will be heartbroken when its time is up." My mom then added, "That's why I didn't want us to have a pet."

But... would you rather protect yourself from potential agony, from sad memories - and hence no happy memories, to not love and be loved in return; OR to create happy moments despite knowing one day, it probably will all end, short-lived or not? I choose the latter. So what if you are living, but not a life?