Old Friends & a Neurotic Dog

Dear John,

 

I got home way too late last night to be coherent. Jethro was frantic because I was out after dark - several hours after dark - and it took until midnight to get him calmed down enough for any of us to go to sleep. First he wanted to lie on my head, then lick my face, then chase the cats around the house. He's been neurotic ever since you went to work one day and never came home again. See what trouble you've caused? And since you forgot to take me with you, I'm left here with a neurotic dog. Shame on you.

 

I had a wonderful evening yesterday. It's been years since I've sat down and talked to Ruth and Harold but, as is the way with good friends, it felt like we'd done it last week. I keep up with Ben and Nate and Maria on Facebook, but it was good to all be sitting around the table. It was just like it was twenty years ago, except that Maria's husband was there instead of you. And Ben brought Brody with him. He's a beautiful dog, and he still has a lot of puppy in him. I had a good time playing with him.

 

It's been such a joy to have these friends for over twenty years. We've watched Ben and Maria grow from young children into delightful adults. Ben just turned thirty - can you imagine that? It is a good thing we don't age as fast as our children do, isn't it? That would mean that we're old.

 

I was tired at work today - I'm used to getting eight hours of sleep, and last night I didn't get anywhere near that. But I have thoroughly enjoyed getting this tired. Now I need to turn the light off and go to sleep. Jethro and Hunter, as usual, are asleep on my legs while I'm on the laptop, and Abby and Maggie are under the bed. We miss you. I had some sad moments last night, realizing that the four of us aren't four anymore. I will always have those times. But don't worry about me - I have lots of friends that love me and look after me. That's a good thing, since you forgot to take me with you, leaving me here with the neurotic dog. You're never getting off the hook for that. :)

 

Adore you,

Joan.