Hurricane
Dear Frankie,
I go with my family every winter to our Fort Myers, Florida house. There’s a dog park in the neighborhood there that I have been going to since puppyhood. Most of the dogs I hang out with at the park live in Florida year-round, but a few of us are snow dogs from Massachusetts. You can only imagine our political discussions. Despite our differences, we have always been the best of friends.
Yesterday I watched the news on the hurricane and saw pictures of my dog park and neighborhood under five feet of water. The newsman said there were people and dogs in those houses. The phones and computers are not working, so I have no way of finding out if my friends are OK.
I don’t think I will be able to take it if something terrible happens to them. My dad told me not to worry because my friends’ families would have left or gone to an evacuation center. I saw some pictures on TV of dogs in crates at a rescue center. But none of them were my friends. Don’t you think I should be worried?
Melvin
Dear Melvin,
Whoa, slow down. Don’t let your imagination get the best of you. I understand it’s worrisome to realize that your friends’ homes are in the center of a natural disaster, but your dad might be right.
It would be terrible to lose close friends. If that did happen, you would be able to survive by accepting comfort and care from your friends and offering them the same. In sum, helping one another grieve and celebrate the lives of those lost.
Before you get out your mourning suit, I suggest you wait until you know what has happened to your friends. As they say, patience is a virtue.
Best, Frankie
© 2022 Geneva Woodruff
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