February 25, 2018

White Dog insisted that today be an Easy Sunday with our usual routine of cooking and cuddling and napping and noshing. "It will be hard but no sad faces; no weepiness. Let us fill Stormer with love and togetherness. Even if he is floating between here and beyond he can still feel all of the things he loves so much."

It is hard not to think, "This is the last time Stormer will hear the Army's call to breakfast"...or "This is Stormer's last Sunday Snoozing." But we have all struggled to create a day filled with the sounds that are our regular life. We believe that even though he is no longer interested in duck jerky that he can savor the memories that come from hearing the WDA gather and enjoy their daily afternoon treat.

There have been moments of clarity...like when he called for his morning coffee (and the coffee club let him cut to the front of the line)...and when he stretched into Steve's arms to go outside and rested his head deliberately and lovingly on Steve's shoulder...or when he moved to rest on the orange stuffie that Opal left to comfort him.

We will offer him all the essentials but suspect he will not be interested in water or dinner. Just to be certain there is no pain we will make sure he gets his medications. But mostly we will provide an anchor and routine, because Stormer finds comfort and safety in routine...always has. 

We know Stormer senses his sisters and brothers softly resting around him, loving him, being nearby. It is not so much saying "goodbye" as "we always will be there; feel us" As Stormer sleeps we are filling him with the memory movie that he will be able to happily recall eternally and know he is loved and safe forever.