“God said, “I’ll send them without wings, so no one suspects they are angels." ~ Unknown
Jessica’s family was hosting Christmas again this year. She
couldn’t remember how many years in a row the responsibility had fallen on her.
Still, the stress of readying for “the most wonderful time of the year” was
nearing her limits of tolerability.
This year the house
was full of sadness and somber conversation. They didn’t know how long her 93-year-old
father, Jason, had left. The family had gathered for probably their last
Christmas with the aging Patriarch as his dementia entered its final stages.
He wanted to live to
see one more New Year’s celebration. Jessica’s only wish for her Dad was that
he go peacefully. Dementia had ravaged him cruelly for long enough.
After sauntering
through the house and taking in the Christmas decorations and spiced cookies,
she relaxed at the foot of Jason’s recliner chair and nuzzled his blanket-covered
feet.
Startled awake, Jason peered down at the dog. “Shadow,” he
murmured, gesturing for the pup to sit on his lap. “I’ve missed you!”
Family members looked confused.
None could recall Jason having a dog before. Perhaps he was remembering the
love of a childhood pet.
The curious visitor became
a welcome distraction. Whose dog was she? Did someone dump her along the road?
Either way, it would be dark soon, and she would be cold. So, Jessica welcomed “Shadow”
with food, water, and snacks. She placed a blanket next to her ailing Dad’s
chair which “Shadow” occupied at once, validating her name as “Shadow.”
The two bonded quickly.
She comforted him as his memory drained; Jason helped her make new memories. They
shared things in common, like eating things they shouldn’t (pretzels), and long,
spontaneous naps.
Jessica called the sheriff,
radio station, animal shelter, and several neighboring farms. No one had
reported a lost dog. The days leading up to New Year brought no news, and they
were all grateful the furry companion stuck around.
Jason passed away on January
2nd. That was also the day the Shadow left. The weather turned brutal;
snow fell every day. The sun never seemed to shine for the rest of the winter.
Early the next spring
they learned that the black dog was a runaway family pet named Blackie that
lived several miles away. He returned to visit Jessica’s family the following
summer. When her owners came to bring Blackie home, Jessica told them about her
angelic Christmas visit, and how she had comforted their family with his
cheerful companionship. She wanted them to know how much she’d brightened their
holidays.
