It’s 5:30 a.m. I lie sandwiched between two of the sweetest souls on Earth. My beloved husband sleeps to my right, while our treasured Norwegian forest cat molds her body to my left side. How do I know these are wondrous souls? Because they take their places night after night, sharing their warmth and love with me. Still.

We three have lived intimately for many years by any human standard. But if you measure time in moments and emotions exchanged, we’ve spent at least a century together. In that time, we’ve seen a lot of water flow under our bridge: My patient companions have withstood enough tears to soak through all our carpets, run down the stairs and pour out of every door – for at least a week. They’ve remained sympathetic through loss, pain, panic, exhaustion and relief. And they face anger that can flip from frosty to blistering in six seconds flat. Or less. Depending on the situation.

Yet they look into my eyes with love. They expect me to be trustworthy. They make me laugh out loud often. We’ve become shifting constellations that must honor their bonds with a silent caress, a quick kiss, a sleepy smile, and, of course, food.

I fear greed is another of my flaws, yet I wish and hope with all my heart that love lives on and on…for you, for us, for every being.

May 2016 bring immutable love and peace to ALL.