I am certain that if you had suffered the loss of a loved one, your heart would be pleading to everyone as if to say, “Just call me for love, okay?” Because 90% of us feel emotional hurt and pain; the remaining 10% are sociopaths.

Or at least that is how most people with whom I have shared the loss of a loved one have reacted to the death and their need to be alone to grieve.

I have grieved the passing of many loved ones, including my parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts, a younger brother, close friends, and pets.

And each of those passings broke my heart so much I thought it would never heal.

Although the heart does heal with time, the hurt never disappears.

However, before I write another word – there is nothing I can imagine to be worse than those who have suffered the loss of a child.

I recently wrote about the passing of my beloved dog, Holly Golightly. She was almost 18 years old.

But she was just a baby to me.

I had decided that Holly’s life had become too unbearable for her, and the kindest and loving thing I could do was have her put to sleep at the vet’s office.

I have already detailed Holly’s passing in my I Am Cryin’ A Final Goodbye For Holly Golightly story, so I won’t repeat the particulars except to add one more thing.

Although the appointment to take Holly to the All Creatures Animal Hospital wasn’t until 8:00 a.m., I was up with her for much of the previous 36 hours, and she had not eaten anything.

But at about 7:00 a.m., Annette suggested we try giving Holly a plate of food.

At first, I scoffed at her idea but then thought, what the heck – why not see if she will eat something?

So, Annette placed the plate of food in front of Holly – and within a few minutes, she had eaten the plate clean!

I asked Annette to give Holly another plate of food if she was still hungry.

As soon as Holly got the second plate, she ate it all up, too!

And now, thinking back to that sad morning, we are both happy that Holly had a full stomach when she passed away.

But we didn’t feel that at the time – only grief and a deep sadness.

That afternoon, I drove to the grocery store to buy a jug of milk. I thought getting outside and taking my mind off of Holly’s passing would be good.

But as I walked down the aisle towards the dairy section, I realized it was the dog and cat food aisle, and I burst into tears.

My legs became weak, and if it wasn’t for the shopping cart holding me up – I would surely have fallen to the floor.

I immediately left the store – without the milk and returned to the apartment.

That was on Tuesday, and it is now 3:40 a.m. on Friday, and I am drinking a coffee as I write this update.

I intended to write a thank you to the many people around the globe who sent their respects. My inbox is filled, and so is the comment section of my Facebook page.

Unfortunately, I cannot reply to anyone because it is too difficult – but I promise to read every correspondence.

I also want you to know I have felt your love and friendship during this difficult time.

I will always remember your kindness.

And if you close your eyes and concentrate – you will feel my hugs and love for you!

Dedicated to my friends.

I hope my stories are a gift to your head and heart.

Hugs,

Danny

Today’s tune from Danny’s library (purchased):

If I could ever say it right
And reach your hostage heart
Despite the doubts you harbor then you might
Come to believe in me.

The life I lead is not the kind
That gives a woman peace of mind
I only hope someday you’ll find
That you can believe in me.

Those other loves that came before
Mean nothing to me anymore
But you can never be quite sure
And will not believe in me.

Too many hearts have been broken
Failing to trust what they feel
Trust isn’t something that’s spoken
And love’s never wrong when it’s real.

If I could only do one thing
Then I would try to write and sing
A song that ends your questioning
And makes you believe in me.

Too many hearts have been broken
Failing to trust what they feel
Trust isn’t something that’s spoken
And love’s never wrong when it’s real.

If I could only do one thing
Then I would try to write and sing
A song that ends your questioning
And makes you believe in me
Makes you believe in me.
Oh, you can believe in me.

Songwriters: Dan Fogelberg

Here’s what Danny is listening to now: Drowning in a Tub Full of Tunes