"More than a stunning debut. It is the announcement of a bold new literary voice"
—Stephen Chbosky, author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower

I see you there,

On the bed,

Next to Grace.

You are teaching her what we can’t help her to understand.

I am grateful.

I miss you every day, and though I love her,

Grace makes it harder sometimes.

She is not you.

I still have a hole in my heart.

I hope you know that I will never replace you.

I just can’t live without someone like you.

You are gone, but not lost to me.

You visit me,

you taught me.

I protected you, but you guarded me.

I love you.

I will see you again. I promise, a promise that I swear I won’t break.

We are sharing some of your things with her. I hope you don’t mind.

We did save some things, like your mitten. You loved your mitten.

Your countless demands I would not mind fulfilling now.

I am sorry that I never picked you up or helped you down the stairs

I should have, but my mind messed me up,

taught me the wrong thing,

to see germs in everything. I have always regretted that.

You know that even though she looks nothing like you,

I feel a kindred spirit in her. Thank you for everything.

I thought I could never love again after you, but I can.

Grace was a miracle brought by your angel wings.

Sometimes I hear footsteps and I turn and think it is you

It is only Grace, but then,

Grace is important and loved in this house. I love her.

I have oceans of love because of you.

I will forever miss your little paws, but I will live.

You are how I learned to Lhasa love.