What Is Lost
I was at Starbucks this morning when the tears fell.
I'd just gotten my coffee and I was standing at the counter adding cream and sugar. Above the tiny pastel packets of sweeteners and the stainless steel decanters containing milk was a bulletin board. It was a cork-boarded spot for people to post band performances and furniture for sale- a snapshot of the neighborhood and the coffeehouse regulars.
In neatly written cursive a woman had tacked up a description of her experience and credentials as a nanny.
I will love your children like my own the last line of her ad read. Underneath were little slips with her number written on each. Most of the slips had been ripped off, presumably by parents looking for a night of freedom. I wondered if she had ripped the slips off herself knowing that people will follow the herd.
Beside the sitting solicitation was a piece of paper with 'Neko' written in large plain font on the top. Underneath was a block shaped paragraph.
Neko is a beautiful three year old German Shepherd mix (we're not sure his mix but he's docile and well mannered). When Neko was born he was adopted by a wonderful family who loved him so much. He spent his days playing in a big backyard and getting lots of attention from the children. Then Neko's family got a divorce and had to move away. They wanted him to have a good home so they gave him to their friends. What happened next is the sad part of Neko's story. He was found in a park, abandoned and disoriented. He was dirty and alone and taken to a shelter. Neko's first family was notified and it was discovered his second family had disappeared leaving no information about their move or explanation for abandoning Neko. Neko is now staying with his foster parents (us) and we really want to find a happy home for him. He's such a good dog who gets along great with childen and other pets. Please help us find a place for Neko.
My eyes welled up with tears as I mixed my coffee with the little wooden stirrer. I was sad for Neko. But, I was also sad for Neko's family, splintered by divorce, sent in different directions, losing their family pet... losing their family. In these black and white words on the page I heard an unspoken story of the interminable nature of change. I am filled with sadness... everything changes.
I'd just gotten my coffee and I was standing at the counter adding cream and sugar. Above the tiny pastel packets of sweeteners and the stainless steel decanters containing milk was a bulletin board. It was a cork-boarded spot for people to post band performances and furniture for sale- a snapshot of the neighborhood and the coffeehouse regulars.
In neatly written cursive a woman had tacked up a description of her experience and credentials as a nanny.
I will love your children like my own the last line of her ad read. Underneath were little slips with her number written on each. Most of the slips had been ripped off, presumably by parents looking for a night of freedom. I wondered if she had ripped the slips off herself knowing that people will follow the herd.
Beside the sitting solicitation was a piece of paper with 'Neko' written in large plain font on the top. Underneath was a block shaped paragraph.
Neko is a beautiful three year old German Shepherd mix (we're not sure his mix but he's docile and well mannered). When Neko was born he was adopted by a wonderful family who loved him so much. He spent his days playing in a big backyard and getting lots of attention from the children. Then Neko's family got a divorce and had to move away. They wanted him to have a good home so they gave him to their friends. What happened next is the sad part of Neko's story. He was found in a park, abandoned and disoriented. He was dirty and alone and taken to a shelter. Neko's first family was notified and it was discovered his second family had disappeared leaving no information about their move or explanation for abandoning Neko. Neko is now staying with his foster parents (us) and we really want to find a happy home for him. He's such a good dog who gets along great with childen and other pets. Please help us find a place for Neko.
My eyes welled up with tears as I mixed my coffee with the little wooden stirrer. I was sad for Neko. But, I was also sad for Neko's family, splintered by divorce, sent in different directions, losing their family pet... losing their family. In these black and white words on the page I heard an unspoken story of the interminable nature of change. I am filled with sadness... everything changes.
Seriously, now I am going to have horrible dreams of my dogs wandering around lost in the park. I am such a sucka for dogs.
ReplyDeleteMegan!! So awesome to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I was at Starbuck's feeling your sadness. Beautifully written.