Last night a fish died. Normally this wouldn’t have been a big deal because it’s just a fish. However, this fish was so much more. It definitely wasn’t “just a fish”.

A couple of years ago, Max wanted a fish tank in his room so bad. Eddie loved fish (and all animals) so he was happy to start Max with something “they could do together”.

It took a few months of Max keeping his room clean, feeding the dogs and proving that he could handle the responsibility. He was determined to get that fish tank, so it did it all without any complaints.

When he earned it, there was a huge trip to the pet store for all the bells and whistles. It was followed by an afternoon of setting it up and learning. Max was so excited and he and Eddie had something they loved to do together.

A couple fish later, we ended up with Nemo and Champino. Zac finally had his own fish in the tank too now, but Eddie made it clear that they shared them and took care of them together. These two bug eyed fish, joined us in January, before COVID. Other than a food mishap many months ago with Zac over feeding them, they have been fine.

Well, last night as Max turned the tank light off before bed, he noticed that one was dead and ran to tell Zac and I… epic meltdown.

I knew that the meltdown wasn’t only about the fish. It was the last pet Daddy had gotten them. It was a promise of something they were going to do together…a connection they had shared. Now it was dead and gone, just like him.

My heart broke for them. It was much more than a fish. They lost one more piece of Eddie and the life they had with him. There was absolutely nothing I could do, except hug them and say “I know”. Because I do know. I know how as little things change, it feels like Eddie is slipping away even more.

The sad thing is, that’s the reality…we can’t stop life from changing and going forward. We have to take a deep breath, keep going and do the best that we can.