The last well-wisher was gone, and Etta leaned on the door for a moment. Boots wove between her legs, purring. Etta straightened and moved to the couch. She pressed a tissue to her eyes, then sat. Boots jumped onto the sofa and settled next to her, his head in her lap.

Melody exited the kitchen, wiping her hands on her pants. “How are you doing, Mom?”

Etta sighed. “What am I going to do without your father?”

Melody’s forehead creased and she took a seat in the armchair across from Etta. “It won’t be easy. Spending 47 years with someone is a very long time. You’ll miss him every day. But you will go on. I’ll come by as much as I can, and you know Jim and Lori will, too.”

Etta frowned. “I know, and I appreciate that, dear. I’m sure you’ll have your boys over here taking care of all my house projects. I am so grateful you’re all nearby.” She gave a little laugh. “And thanks to the ladies at church, I have enough food to last me for a month. Yes, I’m going to miss your father terribly, but I appreciate the support you’ve all given me.”

“Good.” Melody’s eyes clouded. “I miss him too, Mom. He was a great man.” She seemed to collect herself. “I washed all the dishes. I separated the casseroles into individual containers and froze what you won’t be able to eat this week. Whenever you want a hot meal, just pull out a container and pop it in the microwave. That should make things simple.”

Etta gave Melody a weak smile. “Thank you, dear. That will be lovely.”

Melody sat in silence for a few moments. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”

Etta studied Melody. Dark circles shadowed her face, and her shoulders slumped. She’d been here since early this morning. “No. I’ll be fine here by myself. Go home and take care of your family.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’ll have to get used to it. You can’t be here all the time.”

Melody stood, kissed Etta on the cheek, and moved to the door. “Call me if you need anything.”

Etta nodded, and soon, the house was still. Boots meowed, and Etta stroked his head. “At least I have you.”

For the rest of the week, Etta moved forward in a haze. Each day, at least one of her children would call her, but they had families and jobs. She reorganized the kitchen, weeded the garden, and crocheted. She had a blanket to finish before her newest grandchild arrived in a few weeks. A grandchild Larry would never meet. Through it all, Boots stayed by her side. He followed her around the house, and even into the garden. Every time Etta moved, Boots moved with her. Maybe Boots was feeling Larry’s loss as well.

By the end of the week, Etta was ready to take up her Bible again.  She wasn’t angry with God for taking Larry, but she had needed a few days on her own to process her new life status. Now, as she fingered the cover, a sense of peace filled her heart. This was what she needed to do. Spend time with her Lord. No matter how much she hurt, and no matter how much she needed Larry by her side, the Lord would get her through this.

“God, I don’t know what to do. I’m living my life, going about my daily routine, but in the midst of it, I have an aching emptiness. I was blessed to spend decades with Larry, but I miss him so much.”

A tear trickled down her cheek. How would she get through life without her partner? She dabbed at her eyes with a tissue and opened her Bible. Before she could read a word, Boots jumped onto the sofa and once again, set his head on her lap. He stretched his paws across the Bible, and Etta almost laughed. It was if Boots was pointing to a verse in the Bible. She glanced down where his paw pointed.

Deuteronomy 31, verse 6. Deuteronomy? She certainly hadn’t planned to read Deuteronomy today. But still, her curiosity won out and she turned her eyes to the verse.

She stroked Boots’ fur. “Is this what you wanted me to read? The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Etta stared at Boots. Sure, he was just a cat. But was God using him to tell her something? Her mind brought up pictures of the time since Larry passed. Every moment she spent in this house, Boots was with her. He hadn’t left her side. Just as God never left her side.

As the tears welled in her eyes once again, this time, they were tears of joy. For while Larry was no longer with her, and one day Boots would leave as well, for now, God had given her a beautiful picture of His faithfulness. From now on, whenever she saw Boots, she’d remember the enduring faithfulness of her Father in heaven, who loved her as His own daughter. She’d never forget Larry, would still continue to miss him, but she would never be alone.

Deuteronomy 31:6-8

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

God, thank You for Your love and faithfulness. Thank You for standing with us through all our trials, through grief and pain. Help us to lean on You when we are lonely. Thank you for the reminders of Your love. And thank you for giving us the blessing of pets, who can help show us Your care and faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.