How to Exist

Dear Upa,

                It’s not fair.

It’s just not. Our friend, and you know which, has to put her puppy to sleep today. It’s not fair.

I have no idea what she is going through at this moment. I can’t even begin to comprehend what she is going through. So I’m just going to look at it from my point of view.

I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting Astro, I’ve only caught fleeting, blurred glimpses of happy eyes and wet noses on snapchat or FaceTime. But I don’t think I have to. I don’t have to meet him to know that that boy is a little bundle of joy, I don’t have to see him in person to recognise the happiness and warmth he seems to emanate, and I don’t have to have held him to be able to notice the way our friend’s face lit up when she did. 

When she called me to tell me, I didn’t know what to do or think. The only things I had to offer were words that all sounded the same to even me, because I knew as well as she that nothing I could say or do would ever make it any easier. After a while, I asked her, “What is Astro doing?”.

And she replied with, “Existing”. 

This part of the blogpost is directed at her.

I don’t know what you’re going through, but I know that Astro as lucky to have you as you are to have him. Astro exists, and he will exist, and he will always have existed. He’s right there, he’s always there, looking at you with his happy eyes and wet nose, because he knows as well as I that you are strong, and amazing, and we are both so, so proud of you. 

I am so proud of you both. I love you.

Aditi.