Loss of a Loved One

I burried my hamster on Sunday. She was the sweetest little angel. I bought Peanut and Butter a month ago as an impulse celebration after my divorce was finalized. I was told they were both female, but later found that Peanut was aptly named. Butter was my baby. I felt bad for playing favorites, but it was hard not to. She was smaller, gentler, and more people friendly. Exactly one month to the day of her purchase, I went to say goodbye on my way to work and sadly found that Butter had already said her goodbyes and left me. I couldn't leave her in the cage with Peanut all day, and I just felt wrong freezing her, so a Ziplock baggie and the bottom shelf of the fridge had to do. For three days, every time I scavenged for food I was reminded of my loss. I had to wait until my day off to put her to rest. So on Sunday evening, I padded a tiny box with tissues (Puffs Plus, with lotion) and gently placed her comfortably in it. It was a long, sad drive to my mother's and a dark, muddy struggle to dig her a nice place to rest. I said a quick prayer, thankful for the joy that one month of her presence in my life had brought me, planted some flower seeds on top of the dirt that covered her, and left. The flowers will never grow, as they will be unknowingly mowed over by my mother, but I am sure that Butter appreciated the thoughtful gesture. She probably would have said forget the flowers and eaten the seeds anyway.