Some really, super-happy bees, drunkenly flying in my crocus plot:
The little girls I nanny decided to make me beautiful for the ball. "Remember to have a nice smile for the prince and look beautiful so he’ll want to dance with you."
There are three things that will absolutely guarantee that I like a song. The first is any vocals in a foreign language. The second is yodelling. (yeah, I know, weird). And the third and my favorite is the harmonica. It’s a good thing I married this guy:
He is spending the week recording a demo CD of his latest songs–let us know if you are interested in getting one when they’re ready
No, this was not the temperature today. This was last July, but I like to look at it and dream.
1. Saving a ton of money grocery-gaming today, plus we’re stocked up on icecream!
2. Lunch with Luke & Hannah at Baja Fresh
3. The song Chad sang as special music this morning in church
4. Taking a walk around the neighborhood and seeing crocuses, snowdrops blooming, daffs coming up
5. Changing the sheets on my bed
6. Having all the windows open this afternoon–fresh breezes!
7. Not having to go anywhere or do anything tomorrow that I don’t want to do! [this is a biggie]
8. Watching my new freezer fill up with yums and goodies
9. Email from Faith
10. Spring rain, spring flowers, spring breezes, spring smells, spring, spring, spring! (I know it won’t last past Tuesday, but I’m going to enjoy it while I can!)
First of all, thank you for all of your kind words, prayers, stories, and memories. It’s healing to learn what an impact Rocky had on so many people. We are missing him every day–I’m even sitting here at my computer right now, knowing in my brain that he’s gone, yet listening with half an ear for his step outside the door and his polite "woof!" to ask to come inside. I keep looking for him around corners, worrying about forgetting to let him in right away, and does he have enough water. It’s not just that we’ve lost our dog. We’ve also lost a way of life, and many of our everyday routines have to change. I don’t like change.
Secondly, to all you lurkers out there, declare yourselves! I loooovvvveee comments. I blog for comments. I don’t want to send these thoughts out into the void–I’m sending them out to you. It doesn’t matter if I’ve never met you or if I haven’t talked to you in five years. You are more than welcome to post comments anytime. I am so happy to have heard from Melissa and Jess, two good friends from college that I’ve lost touch with over the years. It’s so good to hear from you guys! So feel free to come out of lurkdom, everyone. I like to imagine you all around me out in cyberspace.
Again, Chad and I both thank you all for your love and support, and for loving our sweet dog. Kim asked me to tell what other blogs have mentioned him.
Kim at Hiraeth, L & H, Jenn, and Faith have all blogged about Rocky’s death. They are all located under the "Friends" sidebar at the left of the screen.
The thing is he was always there. And in the end I was there. I was the only one there with him when he died in the office at the Animal Medical Center. I didn’t want him to be alone. He went peacefully to sleep and then his breathing stopped. "You’re still beautiful," I said. "I loved you," I said, "I loved you so much. Goodbye, bud, goodbye."
Never have I known such a widely loved dog. So much joy he created in the lives of others! So much kindness, such unambitious love, such largeness of spirit.
My Boy is gone. He is no longer here. But he is There. I am sure of it.
Lord, may I live the way Rocky did.
Rocky is failing. He’s not eating, he’s trying to throw up, he can barely make it up the steps anymore to come inside. We’ve made a very difficult, heart-rending decision, and if you could all pray for us today, especially for Chad at 4:00PM. You can say anything you want about my theology, but I am absolutely convinced that Rocky is going to heaven. He’s God’s dog, he always has been, and I’ve never known a nicer, sweeter, more patient person than the Rock. We’re both just absolute basket cases today, and a small part of me is slightly ashamed: he’s a dog. But he’s been a part of our family since we got married, he’s been my steadfast friend through many hard times. And he’s taking a piece of my heart with him.
I was out and about today, tramping through woods and mud, soaking in the WARM [finally!] sun, and finding little victories all over the place.
Wow–just read one of the blogs I visit every couple of days– www.superherodesigns.com/journal/ which I love because I find her inspiring to my creativity. But today she wrote of a topic close to my heart, something I don’t talk about all that much. But I totally resonate with what she’s written. I’m there. I know what it’s like to hate perfectly nice women just because they’re pregnant. Even when they are related to you, or your friend, or someone you’ve been praying for. Anyways, her title is "Misery Loves Company," and she said that it just helps to know she’s not alone. And that is true. I’m not alone, and sharing this burden with others makes it less staggeringly, overwhelmingly heavy.
Call it spring fever, winter doldrums, hormone-induced depression, boredom, or wanderlust, I have been having issues this week. I keep thinking, "I have a credit card. I could just run away." The only problem with that solution is that I would still be with myself, and I think that that is what I need a break from. Ever just get sick of being in your own skin? I can never get far enough away.
MMMmmmmm. . .sun-warmed vine-ripened tomatoes from Granny’s garden. . . I’m so ready.
Yesterday was my aunt Cynthia’s birthday. Heidi and I made a scrumptious birthday lunch for her, and she decided it was even better than going out to one of our favorite restaurants.
