Losing both of them in quick succession left our house feeling very empty. It was hard to sit down on the couch and not have Hootie the cat jump up with an inquisitive look to curl up in my lap. It was strange to go prepare a meal in the kitchen and not see Little the dog wagging her tail and getting underfoot.
The sorrow that we felt then has now made us keenly aware of the virtues of our new dog Snow. When she came to live with us just a few weeks ago, it lifted our spirits just to know she was waiting for us at our home. Walking in the door, we took extra time to greet her and let her do her wiggly, snorting dance of greeting. Every morning is a happy morning when Snow goes crazy because she's so glad we are out of bed.
That's the way life works. Our great and small losses can embitter us, or they can make us more grateful for what we are given.
It's the theme of the movie Shadowlands: "The joy now is part of the pain later. The pain now is part of the joy later. That's the deal."
6 comments:
Good morning! I really like the way you use real life events AND pop culture to connect with your audience. That is a skill most people struggle to develop. Only a few can do it naturally.
I recently attended a training week in San Diego, where a very gifted teacher instructed us in a fashion that motivated all of us to greater heights than I imagined possible. He utilized UTube videos and 30 second comedy skits in his presentation in such an effective method that the students in the class were actually clamoring to put into practice what he taught.
From reviewing a few of your posts, I see several of those qualities in your writing. Keep up the good work!
Rosslyn, such beautiful animals! Losing them is so hard. Snow sounds like a worthy companion -- never to replace Little and Hootie, but a friend in her own right.
I still miss my sweet dog, and she died in 1999.
I wonder if we will see our pets in heaven? What do you think?
Travis -
Thank you very much for your kind words. I share your admiration of really good speakers who use a variety of media to reach their audiences.
Amy -
You may have read the section of The Problem of Pain that deals with animal immortality. I like Lewis's argument. I have to quote a line from it right here:
I have been warned not to even raise the question of animal immortality, lest I find myself 'in company with all the old maids'. I have no objection to that company. I do not think either virginity or old age contemptible, and some of the shrewdest minds I have met inhabited the bodies of old maids.
Don't you just love it? :-)
Oh, Rosslyn, I loved this post! Your pets (past and present) are adorable. And do tell...how did a black-haired dog get named "Snow"?
We have two cats and a Bassett mutt who all keep me company around my desk each day. David thinks that I'm destined to be the next crazy cat lady. =)
Totally switching gears, I noticed on your slide show that you like Settlers of Catan. I've played that game and enjoyed it. The first time I played, though, it was introduced to me as "not a thinking game." Hmm...would you agree?
Not a thinking game? I'd like to see that person's idea of an intellectual game. :-) Unless maybe he uses "thinking" to describe word games like Beyond Balderdash. We play the Cities and Knights of Catan version of Settlers, which is more complex than the basic game. But even the basic one isn't Chutes and Ladders, by any means.I find Settlers of Catan requires quite a bit of strategizing--so much, in fact, that I have to psych myself up for it. Of course, that may have something to do with the fact that we are friends with a couple who has played it about a hundred million times, and they ALWAYS WIN. Boo, hiss!
I often enjoy games that are still strategic but a little easier on the brain: Ticket to Ride, Darjeeling, even fun specialty card games like Lost Cities, Loot, and Bull in a China Shop. The best word game of all is Wise and Otherwise, which is hilarious. I like to try new games, too.
Wise and Otherwise has me curious!
Word games are the best kind, in my opinion.
Balderdash is one of my favorites. I'll tell you what, though... I know a ten-year-old boy who will beat us all at Balderdash in a year or two. He's amazing for his age.
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