Part 1: The Morning My Dog Wouldn’t Stop Scratching at the Door

and wrote letters I never planned to send.

Thank you notes.

Apologies.

Stories from the day.

The bracelet she made stayed on my wrist, worn thin but strong. A reminder that love doesn’t need to be finished to matter.

Friends started visiting again. Carefully. Respectfully. They brought food, flowers, quiet company. When they saw the kittens, their faces continue reading …