Beaches, Milkbones, and tennis balls

Life is filled with many beautiful and wonderful moments, but also the moments where you feel like your heart is being ripped out of your chest.

Having to put a beloved pet down is one of those moments.

There is a reason there was not a dry eye in the theater during “Marley and Me”, and why so many people sympathize if they have a pet of their own. They completely get it. 

For me, there is nothing more painful than watching someone, or something you love suffer. Whether it is one of my patients, a friend or family member, or in this case my beautiful 9 year old black lab.

What kind of comfort is there when you are spending the last days with the animal who has loved you so much, completely unconditional, and was a constant shining light in your life.

There is none.

So as I am writing this, sitting next to my beautiful girl. I am thinking about the absolute suckyness of the whole situation. Why again? We lost our other lab Sally only 9 months ago, never thinking our world would come to this standstill again so soon.

Esse had fought so hard not only against the cancer, but the surgeries, and losing her leg. She became a favorite at the University of Minnesota Vet hospital (which is absolutely wonderful), and earned the affection of many including a wonderful resident doctor.

Why her God? And why so soon?

Because I am a Christian the only small comfort in this time is knowing she will be in such a better place so so soon. As much as I love her, and will feel her absence tremendously, the beaches of heaven are calling.

Filled with milkbones, tennis balls, and Sally waiting to teach her the ropes of that wonderful place.

I also thought about what she would want to tell me right now if she could.

She talks with her eyes, carrying more meaning than a conversation. She tells me she loves me not with a voice, but with her actions.

  

She is so loved, and will continue to be loved.

My heart goes out to anyone who has or will eventually lose a pet. It is awful. But they are here for a reason, and God calls them to heaven for a reason. And gosh, the view must be great.

I’ll see you again someday beautiful lady, save me a spot on the beach.

Love you so much my goofy girl.

<3 M  

I do's and Ever afters

So… as everyone knows, based on their fb newsfeed, instagram accounts and pinterest boards, wedding season is in full swing.

Guys roll their eyes as girls chat and giggle and obsess about the flowers, the dresses, the beautiful bride-to-be 

But what is it really about weddings that make us girls so gaga?

Sure, it's always fun to have a day where you can put on a pretty dress, do your hair in something other than that chlorine filled summer throw up-do, and wear a cute pair of heels that you end up taking off halfway through.

But I think there's more to it than the pretty dresses, sappy speeches, and “love eternal” looks everyone makes across the room as the bride and groom embrace. 

For me it's about celebrating everyone. Not only the union of your life and your spouse, but of all your loved ones that come to share in that day.

The memories that are made with all the people who love you both so much. 

I love the part where you get to pick out your bridesmaids (or groomsmen). The girls who have stood by your side for significant points in your life, and get to share in that special day. I think it is the utmost honor. 

I love the goofy pictures. Sure, the posed ones are great, but you HAVE to love the ones where people are REALLY laughing. Making funny faces, wearing ugly Christmas socks, enjoying the moment when you get to stand there with your favorite girls and guys around you and make memories together. 

I love the part where the maid of honor and the best man make embarrassing speeches. Filled with life stories, humiliating moments, and memories that not only honor the couple getting married, but all those around who have been a part of their lives up to that point, and the special bond the bride and groom share with their first attendants. 

I love the part when your parents, who raised you to be who you are, and taught you so much, spend time with you and share in that special moment when you bond your life with someone else's. 

Now don't get me wrong. I like the flowers, and pretty dresses, and the amazing vows that commit two people to each other. I love the prayer that takes place, I like the beautiful churches, and the look the groom gets on his face when she walks down the aisle. It is all beautiful and wonderful, and is an amazing act of love occurring when two people commit their lives to each other. 

But when I’m laying up at the cabin with my sister, or at a favorite coffee shop talking to my dearest friends about our weddings in the future. It isn’t about the flowers and table settings. It is about the memories we hope to make with each other and that future someone.

Giggling about who will make the others wear the ugliest bridesmaid dresses, who should bring the music for the pre-wedding dance party, which embarrassing snapchats that will fill the picture slideshow, what the speeches will contain, all filled with the years of memories we all bring into that special day.

And finally the hope that each one of us finds the man who becomes our other half.

Weddings are about so much more than just the bride and groom. At least I think they should be…and that’s why I adore them so much.

Happy Living

~ M