Bubbles had a vet appointment this morning. Find out all about the results here.
Today, I would like to talk to you about 'absence.' You know... when someone has been there for such a long time, and now they are gone.
My dad died at fifty-three years of age. His absence left me sad. At age sixty-nine, my mom died. I missed her even more than my dad because she was with me longer. A lot changed after she was gone.
Nine years ago, I lost a sister and a brother, both in the same year. I never realized losing a sibling would hurt so much. But it did. And their absence stings to this day.
It will soon be three years since losing Gracie. Oh, the emptiness that was left in our house with her absence.
At night, when I take Bubbles outside, I pass Uncle Vic's window, and there is darkness in his apartment. I no longer hear his TV blaring or see him struggling to eat dinner at the kitchen table. It does my heart good to know that I can still visit with him in the nursing home. But his absence here at home hurts a little.
Many people and pets, for one reason or another, become absent in our lives as time marches on. Some people do fine with it. Some medicate to help with sadness or sorrow or just life in general. Some choose to drink or drug their way into feelings of comfort. I prefer to feel the sadness. Something is cleansing and freeing in the spirit about feeling sad, crying, and moving on.
When I examine my life now and compare it to ten years ago, I go to the final words of this incredible Bible verse:
Psalm 30:5 ... weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
And the joy that comes from God is better than any drug out there. Its supernatural perfectness is what I want and seek more than anything else.
Absence, I found, is okay. When one door closes, another door opens. When one person, dog, or pet is removed from your life, another enters, and your heart goes on. And as long as God stays - you are never alone.
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| My Grandma |
I had no idea you have this other blog! Poor Bubbles, there are doggie anti-depressants. But since her problem is fear and anxiety, they likely would not work. I wonder about calming drugs? Did you get any advice from your vet? Is the lump benign? Your bible verses are so good. Isaiah is one of my favorite bible books. I think it is so great that Bubbles got YOU as her parent! Because you are a patient caregiver and will be able to handle her issues as well as anyone ever could.
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