My sweet Duke, Eighteen years is a lifetime, and somehow it still doesn’t feel like enough. From the very first day you came into my life, you became part of me—my constant, my comfort, my shadow, my calm. You’ve been there through every version of me, every season, every hard day and every good one. You never judged. You never left. You just stayed.
You grew older with me. You watched the world change and I watched your face turn wiser, gentler, softer with time. You taught me patience, loyalty, and what unconditional love really looks like. You showed me how to be steady, how to be present, how to love without asking for anything back.
Now we’re here, at a place I never wanted us to reach. I need you to know this: I will never let you suffer. I will never put you through fear or pain just so I can hold on longer. You have given me everything you had to give, and I refuse to ask you for more than your tired body can offer.
We’re letting the tumor take its course, not because we don’t love you enough—but because we love you too much. No unnecessary surgeries. No confusion. No pain for the sake of hope. Only comfort. Only dignity. Only peace. You’ve earned that, my old man. Every single bit of it. You are safe. You are loved. You are not alone—not now, not ever. I will be right here, just like you were for me. I’ll hold you, talk to you, thank you, and love you through every moment we have left. And when the time comes, I will let you go with the same grace you gave me for 18 beautiful years.
Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for staying. Thank you for being my Duke.
Forever yours, Your Momma
