As Shana so rightly pointed out yesterday, none of us can know exactly how you are feeling. For me, though, when Barkis died the silence and emptiness of the house was the very worst part and seemed inescapable. I had left my job a couple of years earlier, so I had been home with him 24/7 through all the hardest days of his illness. Suddenly there was nothing for me to do, and nowhere for me to turn for distraction. Oh how I suffered. That's why Peg was my saving grace when she came to us even earlier than expected. This time, losing her has also broken my heart. But having Luna still here with me has allowed things to be somewhat different. I still have a schedule, there is still a companion nearby, the house is not quiet. The hours of each day are more bearable even though the grief remains.

I don't know whether the kids and their cats are still slated to take up temporary residence with you. If so, I also don't know whether that will help or make things harder. The house won't be quiet, that's for sure. But you also won't have the peace and space to grieve for Molly as you otherwise might, and that may be rough. But the kids and the cats are a part of life, and I do believe one of the lessons our pups are here to teach us is to live our lives to the fullest. To embrace the moment. So if the kids are still coming, I surely hope they will end up being a positive distraction from the pain of your loss. I guess you will find out soon.

Continuing to send you and Daniel my warmest thoughts.