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Monthly Archives: April 2012

lemme tell ya ’bout my best friend.

April 28, 2012
365+1 a pic a day project, animals, Photography
2 Comments

Day 119 of 365+1: a picture a day for a year.

I can’t believe that Sir Cocoa, my 24 lb. Tibetan Terrier, is turning nine years old this summer. He has been a fiercely loyal friend. He sleeps at my feet at night and is the first to let me know if something is wrong. He can hear a strange sound and respond with a surprisingly loud bark before any of the other dogs have stirred. His smile and curled wagging pretzel tail can transform a bad mood in an instant. It amazes me that he can carry such a big heart with his four little legs.

Things have not always been so smooth. He has been known to molest male dogs in front of their parents at the dog park. He has also been known to eat chocolate laxatives by the box, chew window sills and attempt to eat mirrors while breaking off parts of his teeth. He throws up grass in the middle of the night, which is a nice shade of fluorescent yellow with green bits in it, strategically targeted for a nice rug, never the tile. One time he jumped out of a moving car in pursuit of a squirrel, only to hang himself up on his leash and nearly commit suicide. But when the crap has hit the fan, Cocoa has stuck by my side and let me tell him all my troubles. He shows up. He listens. He doesn’t care what I look like or if I believe in anything other than love. Every single day, Sir Cocoa is cheering me on. He has taught me to take the good with the bad, the happy with the sad. That makes him a teacher of love without conditions. No love is perfect, but acceptance of imperfections sure does make the perfect love.

BFFs 4EVA!

–J.

p.s. i miss you

April 25, 2012
365+1 a pic a day project, hillbilly philosophy, Photography
1 Comment

Day 116 of 365+1: a picture a day for a year.

Last night, I dreamt that I was speeding through all the Appalachian backroads of my past. The ride was wild and free and the scenery was beautiful. I woke up aching for my family and called my father today just to hear his voice and that familiar southern drawl. It’s been a decade since I left and yet I keep going back and visiting in my dreams.

Distance is funny. You can tell your family and good friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you. They are in your heart. Your mind. Your stomach. Your dreams. Because you don’t just live in a world.

The world lives in you.