3 YEARS

Dear Mingus,

Yesterday was the third anniversary of your going in the elevator without me FOREVER. You'd think by now I would have stopped missing you but the truth is that there really is no replacement for quirky, loving, devoted YOU. I was thinking the other morning while looking at the portrait of you that Tom Miller painted that even in that portrait there is a "Mingus-energy" which is so reassuring ... he captured in your face the way you ALWAYS had my back as they say.

This picture is of my little friend, Ms. Rosie. (Yes, I know, she's sleeping in your bed.) You'd like her, she has telepathy beat ;-). I haven't seen her walk through walls like the Benson-poodle, but I'm sure she could if she wanted to.

So, while I know there will never be another Mingus, I'm thinking that perhaps after the 4th anniversary of your death I'll adopt a pooch who we can try to encourage to fill the big fat void you left when you took that elevator. Would that be okay?

Love and kisses,
the bitch