Gratitude for workshops and worship at the CROSS Florida Conference which prepared me for THIS NIGHT in such a personal and specific way. Preparing me to learn that Fear, Gratitude and Grief can occupy the same space at the same time in my heart.
Gratitude for time spent on the drive home, sharing with my brother in Christ, the unexpected and beautiful messages we had each received at the conference & anticipating how God was going to be continually working in our lives – unaware that I was being prepared for a new experience of Gratitude:
Gratitude for the 10 years we had with our precious German Shepherd girl, Rocky.
Gratitude for our neighbors, who came to our aid thru the hours of fear as her seizures wracked her body as we tried vainly to help, and lifting her 85 pound self into a truck seat, to get her to an ER Vet.
Gratitude for our friend, who dropped everything to call Vets, get directions, make room in her truck to transport our girl and drive 45 minutes to the 24 hr ER Vet.
Gratitude for the Vet and Staff @ Miami Veterinary Specialists whose sensitivity & compassion was beyond mere professionalism.
Gratitude for my friend and the Dr., who kept me company some times and gave me privacy other times as I sobbed out my grief and hugged my girl goodbye. I kept wanting to feel the rise and fall of her chest. Even when I thought I was ready to leave the room, I had to go back for another hug, and I still expected that rise and fall of her breathing, against all intellectual understanding. No more fear. No more hope that she’d make it. Just left with grief and Gratitude for my friend’s embrace and the Dr’s kindness.
Gratitude for the friends, who kept Josh company on the phone as he waited at home while his girl was whisked away from him and while he waited for news from us at the ER.
Gratitude for the ride home with my friend, who knows Josh and I, and our love for Rocky, in a way few others can, who reached deep into my heart, and was able to offer unbelievable help at that specific moment when so needed.
Gratitude for this precious portion of a text message from our friend who kept Josh company on the phone. It was such a comfort for us both when I finally got back home with him after 11:00 pm and was able to share it with him.
“She was a happy dog, loved and cared for by two beautiful souls. She lived a good life and brought joy to you and whoever got the chance to meet her.”
And Gratitude for our friends who did meet her and love her along with us.
❤
Rocky and Nix, both now at Peace together again