Thursday, March 5, 2020

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Tonight's picture was taken on August 3, 2008. By this point, Mattie was diagnosed with cancer. We were about a week into learning about bone cancer. That day, Peter and JP (our neighbor) took JJ (the Jack Russell Terrier) for a nature walk. The goal was to try to keep things as normal as possible for Mattie. Since Mattie loved nature and JJ the dog, we thought this would be a positive distraction. I remember JP's willingness to come along and support Mattie. 







Quote of the day: The Coppersmith is a bird who makes a noise exactly like the beating of a little hammer on a copper pot; and the reason he is always making it is because he is the town crier to every garden, and tells all the news to everybody who cares to listen. ~ Rudyard Kipling

For 12 years, we have seen this little dog. Practically every day. JJ, the Jack Russell Terrier, was like the mascot for our complex. He came into our lives as a puppy. He grew up with us and Mattie loved him. In fact, Mattie and JJ were so close, that when Mattie died, JJ would come visit us every afternoon and sit right outside our front door, in hopes of seeing Mattie. One day, JJ came inside our home and took a sandal of Mattie's. For the longest time, JJ slept with this sandal back in his own home! JJ was depressed with Mattie's death, and went on a hunger strike for a bit of time. 

As I mentioned last night, JP (JJ's owner) died on February 25. Peter and I are trying to come to terms with the fact that we will no longer see JP or JJ. All I can say is our commons area is not the same now. Things appear quieter and a reminder that we live in the city, where people truly do not talk to each other, and create a community. JP was a bit like tonight's quote. Some may have called him the town crier. He knew what was going on with everyone and reported out so we were all in the know. JP walked in our commons area daily and I always knew I would see him at 3 and 5pm, walking by my window with JJ. Some days I would go outside with Sunny and chat with JP and other days, I would just open my window and chat with him from inside. It was my daily constant. 

Working from home, I do not have the daily interactions like most people. Which is why, JP and JJ became my constants. I knew someone was always looking out for me, for our home, and I also knew that JP was a Mattie memory keeper. Losing JP and JJ (as he went to live with JP's nephew) is life altering and reminds me once again how fragile life is and it evokes the feelings of losing Mattie all over again. 

One of the last times I chatted with JP, he said, "young lady," which was what he called me...... "are you sure you are old enough to drive!?" He was being funny and at the time I laughed it off, but now I view it as the sweet comment it was meant to be. 

JP was an art dealer, appraiser, and collector. He gave Mattie this poster in May of 2009. It featured Paco Camino, who in Mexico is hailed at the number one bullfighter, and Mattie Brown! Mattie loved seeing his name on this poster, and for the longest time this poster hung in our front hallway.

Needless to say, I am still in shock about his death. JP was a force and a big personality, and without him around, the void is noticeable.