1000 Gifts

For Christmas, a friend gave me (Sissy) a gift--a beautiful journal that's intention was to help me remember so many other gifts that I had been given...1000 to be exact. I was to write them in the journal, and had an opportunity to include them in a blog, as well. Here is my latest entry:

I am not a parent. But, I speak to parents on a daily basis about their children. Sometimes, it's children in general and sometimes it's their child in particular. In speaking to them, I have moments where I think I truly get a glimpse into the heart and concern of a parent. I had one of those days recently--and one that would definitely be include in my 1000 gifts.
I was in Florida. Had enjoyed a week at the beach with family and friends and dogs. I actually go to a certain place in Florida because I love it and it's like Destin before all of the bungee jumping madness, and because I can take my dog. I've loved my dog as long as I've known her--as most people do. But, my dog is extra special. She came as a gift the Christmas after my parent's separated. My sister and I had a box under the tree with two little bitty white Maltese puppies with great big bows. She was my constant, joyful companion in a very sad time. Since then, she has counseled kids with me every day for fifteen years. She sits in my office, licks tears, and snuggles up to sad girls and parents of all ages. Fifteen years is quite a long time. A year and a half ago, she went blind. And, maybe parents with children with special needs would attest to this, but her dependency has given us an even greater bond. I think I forgot to mention--her name is Noel, which means precious gift. So, she works with me, lives with me, and-obviously-goes to Florida with me. I thought this last trip was the end for little Noel. Over the course of 24 hours, she got very sick. She stopped eating, doing other normal doggie types of things, and started shaking--not just little tremors but big, convulsive types of shakes. So, like all good mothers, I called the doctors. But, unlike real children, dog doctors aren't quite so accessible--especially in resort Florida--especially on a Sunday night--at 8pm. I found out the nearest emergency vet was 2 hours away. I also found out from two different vets that Noel either had something that was causing significant pain but she would recover from in 24 hours, or she had something that could kill her in two. What do you do? I watched--and waited--and she started showing signs of the greater of the illnesses. So, we jumped in the car to drive the two hours to the emergency vet. In the beginning of hour two, when we were still 30 miles away, Noel started shrieking. This wasn't the kind of crying she does when her friend Molasses (the huge Old English sheepdog) steps on her foot accidentally or she bumps into something she can't see. This is a piercing, wailing kind of scream I've never even heard in a human. I knew it was the end. I held her and all I could do was wail myself. So, there we were, with Melissa driving and Noel and I both sobbing in the passenger seat....and then it passed. Literally. Melissa commented on the odor in the car. Noel laid down. And she fell asleep. When we arrived at the vet, his only comment was "I wish I had five year old dogs who looked as healthy as Noel." Now, I know that Noel will not be around too much longer. And I know I have been blessed with 15 years of the best little furry companion I can ever imagine. But, since that long drive to Tallahassee, every day with her feels like a gift. And I could only hope for 999 more.

On A Lighter, Sillier, Dancier Note

Hey there and Happy New Year!
Rather than starting off our 2008 blog with a reflective, helpful thought, we wanted to give you a fun one! Our friend, Charity, is a finalist on Dance Wars: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann. It's a singing/dancing type of American Idol and you can vote for your favorite team starting tonight!! We'd love for all of you to watch and vote for Charity's team, which would keep her on even longer. She's a beautiful girl with a heart for God who can dance and sing like crazy! So, vote, vote, vote and we'll be back soon with some more reflective, useful thoughts. But, actually, maybe that is one. We sure want to include voting and playing into our New Year!
Blessings,
Sissy and Melissa