Gemotions

The online article shimmered on the screen, his application essay, an essay about the family dog, displayed with the title, "How to Write a Heartfelt Personal Essay." John tapped on the link, a smile playing on his lips, but his eyes were beginning to well. The puppy he had written about was long gone.

He sat back in his chair, the familiar pull in his chest making him catch his breath. He focused on the words: "Sparky, with his perpetually wagging tail, was the heart of our home." The words felt like a warm embrace, wrapping him in the familiar comfort of the past. He remembered the feel of the dog's soft fur, the wet nose nudging his hand.

The room seemed to shrink, the walls closing in, as if he was back in that kitchen, watching Sparky chase a ball. The loss still resonated within him, a constant ache, but the essay… the essay was a bridge, a way to keep the memory alive.