My hero died

During last's week's mania and concurrent lack of tv and internet I was a little shut off from the world. I didn't realize that one of my heroes died.

I've never been into horse racing, but for whatever reason was watching the Preakness last spring when Barbaro was so horribly injured. That was at the time I was at my very sickest, and I latched onto his story of hope as he overcame the odds time and again. I felt a strong connection to that horse, and I have stalked the UPenn Veterinary Clinic website for updates.

I knew during the week before my disconnection from reality that he was getting worse. I truly thought he'd be ok though; he was so tough. It was only tonight that I learned instead his pain became too great for him to bear.

I'm sadder than I can express. I see death or dying daily. I've seen it happen many ways, and I firmly believe death is a graceful thing.

Yet I will mourn the loss of another young could have been.