“You were a great fish & so good to me. I’ll never, ever forget you.” These had to be the saddest words I’ve ever heard PJ mutter. Last night, as we tucked her in and turned to leave her room, we couldn’t see Barack in his bowl. When Ken got closer, he noticed Barack on the bottom. PJ flew out of bed and insisted that Barack sometimes does this. “He does this and then he wakes up. He does. I know it. I saw him do it.”
Unfortunately, Barack did not wake up last night. We had a feeling he was not well for a few weeks now. Kind of fluttery and not as eager to eat. I had even talked to PJ about the possibility that he was getting old. You know, Beta fish don’t live all that long and we’ve had him since the elections. She seemed ok about the possibility. But last night proved that reality and possibility are two very different things. And death, well death is hard for a child, even if it’s just a fish.
I bought Barack for PJ when she got perfect citizenship for the whole first half of the year. Never a bad mark, never a warning. So one day, I went and got him and a pretty bowl to match her surfer room. I picked the most aqua colored fish I could find, PJ’s favorite color, and surprised my girl with her first fish. She, all on her own, decided that she would name him after her Presidential hopeful and favorite candidate, Barack Obama. When the real Barack won the election, I think PJ believed she had something to do with it. A little magic from her fish.
Barack did have one brush with death a few months back. During a cleaning, he nearly went down the drain. Scared me to death. Had I killed Barack, I’d have never forgave myself. But Ken helped save him from the drain and Barack went on to give our daughter 5 more wonderful months.
Last night, after all the tears, all the sadness and all the words of love and heartbreak, PJ finally fell asleep. And in the morning, I awoke to the biggest smile I’ve see in a long time. In her dreams, Sheila arose. Sheila will be her next Beta and we will pick her up today. PJ has a gift certificate for Petco and will use her certificate to get a new fish. One that she will pick, name and raise, all her own.
Barack can never be replaced. As PJ put it, “you were my best fish ever and I’ll always love you.” So, Ms. Sheila, you have some big shoes to fill. I hope you’re up for it.
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/ January 8, 2010Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.
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/ January 13, 2010i believe that Barack Obama is the president that the US needs in these hard times. I do not like the local and foreign policy of any Rebublican.
Cindy
/ January 14, 2010I never cease to be amazed. Why is Barack Obama trying to institute a bail out tax on companies that didn’t receive bail out money? These companies should have been allowed to fail. Why should companies that took no money have to pay the price for GM and Chrysler? This is terrible policy.
Maria Hrafn
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/ February 20, 2010Thank you for another great post. I look forward to many more entries with high quality info. I
Donald R. Perez
/ February 22, 2010Nice post, good work. I have recently started my own blog so its good to learn from what you have going here. Many Thanks.
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/ February 26, 2010I REALLY enjoyed your post and blog! It took me a minute bit to discover your site…but I bookmarked it. Would you mind if I placed a link back to your blog? I have a Political Blog site of my own at White Rabbit Cult. Well Wishes!
sdmom22
/ February 26, 2010Sure. A link back is fine. I read your blog. A bit on the edgy side, but I’ll also link back. Cheers!
Chris Volstad
/ February 28, 2010Reading this reminds me of my old room mate. That guy was one of the smartest men I know, but he was a little too original for my tastes though. Anyways I appreciated reading this, thanks. Will give me something to talk about when I see him.
Mark Capshaw
/ March 1, 2010Barack Obama may be a charismatic leader but somehow his economic policies are not that great in my own opinion. But still i am thankful that a Obama is the current president of the unitied states.
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/ May 15, 2010Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. . . .