Life is short
This is Harvey.
He’s two years old, full of energy, and completely obsessed with fetch—especially with little stuffed animals. Most mornings, the second I move, there’s one at my feet. That’s just who he is.
But not today.
Today, he didn’t bring a toy.
He just sat at the top of the stairs.
Melanie was downstairs. I was still up.
And Harvey? He stayed in the middle.
Quiet. Watching. Waiting.
He doesn’t know how short life can be.
But the way he sticks close—like being near us is the most important thing—makes me wonder if dogs just know what we try so hard to forget.
That love doesn’t last forever.
That the people we care about won’t always be there.
That time isn’t promised.
And maybe that’s why this moment hit me so hard—
because that Cody Johnson song, “’Til You Can’t,” has been living in my chest for a while now.
I’d give anything for one more phone call with Ma. Or Dad.
Doesn’t matter what we’d talk about.
Anything and everything would be enough.
And maybe someone reading this still has that chance.
You’ve got people in your life—parents, grandparents—who are still calling.
Still checking in.
Still waiting to feel close to the child they raised.
They don’t ask for much.
But they notice when you’re not there.
And one day, they won’t be.
So don’t wait.
Not on the apology.
Not on the visit.
Not on the I love you.
Like Cody sings:
“You’ll never know how bad you wanna… 'til you can’t someday.”
So pick up the phone.
Send the text.
Say the thing.
Because whether it’s Harvey with a stuffed animal or Ma or Dad on the other end of the line— they’re saying the same thing:
“I’m here. Don’t forget I love you.”
💖💗
ReplyDelete