Letting Go

It's never easy to say goodbye to a dear friend, but sometimes you have no choice.  You have to make tough decisions and do what is best for your buddy no matter how much it hurts.

We found ourselves in that very position Tuesday night.  We were sitting on the back porch, enjoying some time with our friend when she suddenly lost the ability to turn to the right.  Despite our attempts to lure her out of the corner, she huddled there, weak and vulnerable.  It was difficult to accept that the time had come to "pull the plug", although we've known this day was coming for some time.
 
We've been enjoying her company since the day we discovered her, among her brothers and sisters, at a local store.  Other shoppers passed by them without so much as a glance, but for us, it was love at first sight.  She was practically begging us to give her a good home.  If we had known how much we would love her, we would probably have taken her siblings, as well.  That was more than five years ago, although I can hardly remember a time that she wasn't part of our household. 

Summer nights and rainy days were when we enjoyed her the most.  She would sit on the back porch, patiently waiting for some attention.  Inevitably, we would play with her, often losing track of time and playing into the wee hours of the morning.  She may not have been the most sophisticated playmate, but we loved her just the same.

Our attempts to resuscitate her were in vain.  If only her reset button would have been the cure for her ailments, but, alas, it was not.  Turning her off and then on was of no help, either.  Even fresh batteries could not save her.  We had to accept that she had navigated her last maze and eaten her last energy dot. 

And so today we lay to rest our beloved plug and play Ms. Pac Man game.  She will be mourned, not only by the Willoughby family, but by her nemeses Inky, Blinky, Pinky and Sue.  We will miss you, my friend.  You will never be replaced (unless we can find another unit, in which case you will be replaced immediately).



Our dear friend Ms. Pac-Man 2004-2011
She will be missed


Willoughby