Waiting for the Sorrows

   Many would agree that losing a pet is like losing a member of the family.  I’ve lost a few through the years.  It’s heart-breaking.  As I get older I wonder how my last three pets (2 cats and a dog) would adjust if I died first.

   My older cat is so shy she won’t be around anybody but she cuddles close to me.  My younger boy is sociable once he knows you and very kind and also cuddles with me.  My dog is old and riddled with tumors.  She doesn't have hair and it never grew back.  Her nails were so long and curved and never shortened.  Yet she seems happy, except she is so itchy.  She scratches and nibbles on her feet.   She has cataracts and is losing her hearing.  But she loves being around me. She does love treats and mealtimes too.

   I’m not so sure my dog and older cat would be adoptable.  My youngest probably would.  It’s hard to think about them being sad in a cage alone waiting.  I do hope they pass before I do.  Yes, waiting for the sorrows of their loss seems a bit morbid.  But it would be easier for me instead of them to be around to do the grieving.  Although I have no control over the order of things to come, I’ll keep the faith.

    Come to think of it, there really is no need to ponder upon the sorrows.  I simply live each day loving them, caring for them, enjoying life as we have it now.  This moment is without sorrow.      Theresa M

Pain, Full or Less

   Pain is inevitable.  Pain is a part of life.  Pain - to some extent - is necessary.

publicdomainpictures pixabay

 I know our culture seeks to relinquish pain as fast as possible.  Physical pain especially.  Drug companies push their products knowing people are desperate.  They get rich from other people’s pain.  Which leads to more pain - emotionally.

 Is there an urgent push to stop the emotional pain?  Sure, drink it away is how many deal with it.  Or use others drugs.  Some find other escapes, eg, sex, gambling.

   But at some point one has to stand still and feel it.  Identify it.  Talk about it.  Grieve.  Maybe never lose the hurt entirely, but learn to accept the darkness, learn to live in spite of it.

   There are all sorts of ways we can handle this.  Positive, negative ways.  Friends, family can help.  Therapists, pastors, self-help support groups.  Sometimes even the family pet, with their unconditional love can bring so much relief.  Journaling was one of my best ways.

   As for physical pain, that to me seems harder.  I grew up with a lot of emotional pain, but through the years was able to reach out, learn ways to cope.  Emotionally I can handle things much better these days.

   I think of the verse, IICor 12: 7-10, in which Paul notes he has a thorn in his side.  God has His reasons for everything in our lives, thorns and all.  And I am a believer that He won’t give us more than we can handle.  Yes, that right there - more than we can handle - is what we do to ourselves.  The key is believing, trusting in God’s wisdom, guidance, and love, to nurture us through the pain.  Theresa M

Thorns and All

   The Apostle Paul wrote about problems with a “thorn” in his flesh, something that tormented him, causing him to keep from feeling conceit. No one is certain what Paul’s thorn was, but according to the verse it was related to pride. (II Cor 12: 7-10)

   The thorn can represent something different for each person. Being able to take an inventory of oneself, to see if one is acting with pride or other defective characteristics is an important start to finding freedom from faults.

   But Paul asked God to remove it and it was not removed. Thus it must have served a purpose of some sort. Was the purpose to help Paul to depend on the Lord, to depend on God’s strength? Or was the purpose intended to help others? And how would Paul’s thorn help others?

   This reminds me of a recovering alcoholic: Relapse would bring, say a man, back to all the negative aspects of where he left off when he stopped drinking. (I’m sure he prayed a million times to quit!). Yet he would have to work on recovery. He would surrender and depend on a Higher Power. He would be made strong where he was weak.

   And others? Would learn from his experience, past or present, seeing the changes, noting the hope.

   Why not remove the thorn? It’s actually an incentive, the reality of why he surrendered to change in the first place.

   Never forget where you came from. Never forget the struggle to rise above that. Never forget the strength of your Higher Power. Everything can be wiped away in an instant.

   The Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
 IICor 12:9

   Boasting is for losers. Humility is for winners.               Theresa M

Welcome to the Past

   I enjoy spending evenings with my ancestors.  They tell me stories of where they lived, whom they married, their kids and grandkids names.

  Especially in the winter when it is so cold, maybe snowy, I enjoy the warmth inside.  Using my imagination I picture their homes, towns and villages.  I can sense their aching muscles from a long day’s labor.  Their tired eyes dozing off as they sit by the fireside.

  And in spring I continue enjoying their company, as I watch for new leaves to sprout and grow on our trees.  More adventure, more tales, more history.  The wind brings their voices to life.  The rain washes away the boundaries.  The sunlight illuminates each person, yet some are a bit of a mystery still, staying in the shadows.  It’s okay, I understand.  Not everyone is sociable.  Some are shy.

Lafayette, LA 1938 Russell Lee photo

  Here another evening of discovery and wonder passes.  The moonlight beckons me to rest.  The book closes for the day.  But my ancestors are always welcome back again.     Theresa M

Old Stones cemeteries by yarmouthandacadianshores.com