Yesterday’s Wordless Wednesday was a mobile phone photo my sister Amber sent me of her youngest. She had stepped away for a moment and he jumped at the chance to take over. I love this photo because I immediately decided he was looking for me. You see, since I live in Utah and they live in Georgia, he seems to think I live in the computer and the telephone. So he’ll often point at the computer or the telephone if somebody mentions my name and tries to say my name. I like to think he was taking her absence as an opportunity to look for me. 

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It is strange the things you miss when a pet dies. Andrew and I have spent the time since we got home from the vet yesterday evening basically crying over every thing she did that was annoying that we used to complain about.

At dinner time, Andrew cried because she wasn’t there to stare at him and try to steal his food.

This morning, I cried because the mess she usually makes in the bathroom wasn’t there to clean up.

During the day she used to follow me everywhere I went. Every time I tried to turn around, there she was for me to trip over.

I can’t believe how much I’m going to miss all that. It’s a small comfort to know she’s in Heaven now with my Dad. He loved that dog and she loved him. So it’s cool that they are reunited. And to have the hope and knowledge that it’s not the end. Just a new beginning.

So we say good-bye to you dear Sassy. Thank you for your never ending love. We will miss you.

Sassy

November 2001 to December 2008

The decision to do this came only a day or so after I had put Andrew in a dress in an attempt to mess with his dad. I can’t find the photo right now, but it was Andrew in a frilly, green, pageant type dress. It was too cute, but my Dad was so upset about it he had to do some boy stuff with Andrew.

Hence the rifle.

A Belated Grace

(by Richard J. Kent)

Make me half the man my father was
And I’ll know that I’ve been blest.
Give me half his courage and loving care
And a kingdom I’ll possess.

When I was young and foolish
I heard but didn’t hear
His words of wisdom, his sound advice,
The need to persevere.

When I grew older and wiser,
I saw what I hadn’t seen:
His strength to cope with adversity
And do it with dignity.

No need for the Ten Commandments
When I came to a fork in the road.
I had only to think what he would have done
And again, he’d carry my load.

Make me half the father to my two sons
As the father he was to me
And I know that I will rest at peace
Throughout eternity.

I just spoke to my mom again for an update, and they have not taken him into surgery yet. She does not what the doctors are waiting on. He’s still considered in critical condition. She said they are afraid he’s not going to make it, but I’m not sure if she meant the doctors or the family.

Pray for my mom too. This particular part of the family turned their backs on her not long after my dad died and don’t consider her “family” anymore. She’s blood family to them, but they refuse to have anything to do with her. Long story, but it’s unfounded on their parts. My mom desperately wants to be at the hospital there with then, but because of the mess they created doesn’t feel she’d be welcome there and is probably right.

God is still in the healing and miracle business though. And he can heal my cousin and he can heal this relationship between my mom and his mom.

She went up to see her dad on Saturday. The doctors determined that there was nothing they could do. He requested to be taken off life support and died peacefully a short time later.

Her son is still in the hospital. They have put him on IV nutrition. He will probably be there for a while.

Please keep praying. She’s hanging in there pretty good at the moment, but she has a lot on her mind right now and a lot to take care of. Her dad did not have a will or anything, so she’s going to have to hire an attorney to make sure things get taken care of.

Also, thank you for the donations. I appreciate the suggestion from Regina to do so and what has come in so far. I’m taking it to her this afternoon and will probably take it to her once a week or so if more comes in.

Thanks again for everything. I appreciate having the work at home community to reach out to.