Carol,
Firstly I'm on no mail so I'll not be able to see any response, and
secondly I'm headed out of town for a number of days where no internet is
found... yahoo. Well that is yahoo the voice of celebration not yahoo the
web site haha. But was trying to catch up on some late email reading
before a day or two of busyness and then scooting out. It is tough to see
our animals age, recently our pup was feeling down and it is tough. In
fact our pup has had a couple times of not feeling well. Once we think she
had a pulled neck muscle or something wrong in the neck because you just
lift her chin ever so slightly and she'd yelp, and she'd not move unless
prompted. But there's one thing I've learned from the dogs I've had
through out the years. When they are feeling good and all is well with the
world, they are tail wagging, bone chewing, fly snapping, bird barking,
happy little personalities. And when they are feeling down, they are
subdued yes, but they still wag the tail and try their best to do as they
normally would. What a valuable lesson for us as we find ourselves in
life's throws. They live out scripture and don't even know it. God must
have created them as such and because they are, or seem to be, animals
born to please, they seem to focus past their issue and wag the
tail nonetheless. It is tough for us to do this as we have the capability
to instill other thoughts, fears, projections of "what will we do now", or
"if this happens then what will I do". We tend to build up the things gone
wrong in life and stack them up like cord wood for a sizeable burning of
our joy and faith. It isn't easy to take our troubles and burn them where
they sit and get it over with, sweep off the ashes and get on with our day
at times, but what a benefit it is when we find ourselves able to do just
that. When I found out about my vision condition and prognosis, I
couldn't see passed it for a long time. Now and then, I'll be honest, it
bugs me and even times I get miffed at some of the things I can't see or
do any longer, but over all, life can still be enjoyed a great deal, more
than I imagined at the time, and in some ways even to a more detail
than before. It's my prayer that you too can work it out passed those
times that we all have, and again begin to look at those things which we
are enjoying, the potential we do have despite our challenge, and well...
hmmm I was going to bring in the analogy of the dog wagging it's tail but
I better give that one a miss lol, might be a bit off sounding, but you
get my meaning hopefully of smiling through the trials, finding joy
despite them, not letting the fear of the unknown or immediate rob you of
your ability to enjoy life right now, this minute. I know you have run
through a fair bit of bramble in your lifetime for which I don't presume
to know what that was for you, nor make judgement as to your reaction to
it, just wishing to encourage you to strive towards that puppy-like
attitude God has blessed us with as well if we don't let our mind get in
the way. Just so I'm not being unfair and speaking out of a one way mirror
here with my nomail setting and inability to see a response, if you wish
you can reply to me at:
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and if I'm yet in town I'll get it, if not when I return. You don't have
to reply, just wanted to give an option if you chose.
Brad
on 02:42 AM 6/28/2006, Carol Pearson said:
Hi all,
Well, I think I'm one of those kinds of people for whom nothing (almost)
goes really well, without hitch, and lots of things never happen because
of others that come in the way . . .. Get the picture?
I just wanted to share with you all that my ex-guide dog, Fabian, has very
bad arthritis. It started to get very bad about the middle of last week
and, just when I thought it could get no worse, today he is literally
creeping along. The vet has given him steroids but they're quite
difficult to get down him. For a few days I just didn't react then, when
Mike said something to me today I just started to cry and cry. The "in
pieces" bit, with which I'm very familiar, is beginning to set in - for
how long I don't know!
Meantime, I had to go away for a meeting on Monday and took Fabian with
me, being the best out of all solutions. I had to carry him upstairs -
and those who know me well enough will know where that left my back,
wrists, etc. Next Monday starts our week of camp, following which we're
supposed to be at another friend's, with stairs to climb. The vet will
see us on Friday and by that time we really ought to make our decision
about next week, but it's not looking good, whichever way I go! I'm not
even sure that I can cope with it and it may be another thing I just don't
do after all.
Your prayers for us all would be much appreciated. Please write me also
if you want. Will things ever get better? I am beginning to think that
that won't happen for me until I reach Heaven's door so please, Lord,
hurry up with that one!
--
Carol
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