Time for Walls to Come Down

The bouquets are beginning to fade and the cards fall down along the mantle. It's getting time to gather up the sympathy cards people have sent for Dusty, and in a few more days, the flowers will need to go away, too. I just hate to do that as these items seem to keep Dusty closer to me.
Same with the "Walls Of Fame". In the computer room, there is one wall that was dedicated to Shiloh's pictures, certificates and ribbons, and the other wall was for Dusty. I sit here at the computer and look at these walls and it just reminds me that my precious dogs are now Bridgekids, and these are just memories now.
This room could use a fresh coat of paint, and to do so, it's time to take these things down. Each boy has his own large container in which to put all these things, along with all their paperwork. I was going through Dusty's and saw his hand-typed contract that started with "You have purchased a Westwind Shetland Sheepdog..." dated 1995. So much has changed since that happy day when I brought my very first puppy home.
But when you walk down life's road there are changes.
And, putting away my boys' things, while many tears will be shed, will make room for good things to come: Moto and Pinch both need a wall, and now there will be room for them.
Here's to saying thank you and good-bye to lives well-lived and very much loved, and hello to promising new adventures with my young ones.