Man's Best Freind

This last week has been a very hard one for our family. Glen, one of our beloved pugs got suddenly and severely ill. Unfortunately it was not something he has able to recover from, and we had to let him go. Though it was not an easy choice, it was the humane one. He became part of our family as a hyper loving pup of about a  year old. Now, six years later, it’s hard to believe he is gone. But the happiness and love he brought into our lives will never be forgotten.

The joys of having a dog in your life are countless. Though there are drawbacks as well, for me and every other dog lover, the pros far outweigh the cons. I have owned lots of different kinds of pets. From dogs and cats to snakes and rats, I am an animal lover through and through. But nothing can beat the feeling of being loved by a dog. They are called man’s best friend for a reason. Dogs are loyal and trusting. The love they give to you is unconditional and all encompassing. If you want to feel special, love a dog. Yes, they shed. And yes, there most definitely will be accidents now and then, but when you are down and feeling like the whole world is out to get you, a dog will always be on your side. An unwavering companion through the good times and bad. A dog will weather any storm with you, comfort you when you are hurting, and will be right by your side when you are sick. They will forgive all your bad moods with nothing more than a good scratch behind the ears.

I truly believe dogs are angels, and if we are lucky enough, we get the chance to share our lives with them. Glen was a good boy. He did his job, and brightened our lives. Though seven years seems far too short, I am grateful for every day we had with him. When he wandered out of those woods and into our lives, we were blessed. Thank you Glen, you were a very good dog.

Forgiveness is divine

To err is human; to forgive is divine. At least that’s what poet Alexander Pope said, and I happen to agree with him. He was a smart man indeed. We all make mistakes. We have all hurt someone at one time or another. And we, in turn, have all been hurt. I do not know anyone who has not been wounded by another’s words or actions. It is inevitable. We are all human. But to overcome that, and lay aside one’s pain, resentment and anger is transcendent. Forgiveness is divine.

Forgiveness is a conscious choice, a decision to purge the feelings of resentment. To let go of the desire for revenge. Some people mistake forgiveness as weakness, or being wimpy. A pushover who won’t stand up for themselves. Actually, I find the opposite to be true. Forgiveness takes strength and courage. You have to have a willingness to surrender, a desire for closure. Forgiving someone does not justify or minimize the other person’s actions. It does not make them any less accountable for their deeds. You can forgive the person without forgiving the act. Forgiveness just means you are ready to let go of the bitterness and make room for compassion and kindness. It allows a person to heal in both body and soul. With forgiveness, we can find peace and hope.

Forgiveness may be divine, but it sure as heck isn’t easy. It is after all, a basic human instinct not to forgive. If we forgive, we may be hurt again. So we hang on to these feelings of animosity as a way to keep our guard up. But life is short, and we only get one. A wise woman once said to live your life to the fullest and forgive those who are wrong because tomorrow isn't promised to us. We get one shot in life so don’t let anger or pride ruin your chance at happiness.
I’m just sayin’.

The G.S.A. of 2012

Summer is here. The days are longer, people are grilling outside and the sound of tornado sirens fill the air. Swimmers and sunbathers flock to the beaches while kids are playing in sprinklers, all trying to find relief from the heat. And let’s not forget my personal favorite summer ritual, trying not to scratch mosquito bites on my already sunburned body. All this and a house full of bored kids for two whole months. Oh, the joys of summer.

My husband and I have been thinking about a weekend getaway. We want to expand our horizons to include new places and experiences. To gather new memories we can cherish forever. After all, nothing puts the fun in dysfunctional quite like a family vacation. So my dearly beloved and I are going to try to fit in a camping trip. I want to try teepee camping. He would like to go canoeing. We want to get away from all the comforts of home, during the hottest, buggiest time of the year... With the kids. Well, sound like more fun than one family should be allowed to have. Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against camping and the outdoors. It’s just that we have not been camping since our eleven year old was a baby. We have no equipment and even less experience. You would be hard pressed to find a more ill-equipped family. But we still want to go. We want to look back and say, “Hey, we went there. we did that.”

I think we can make it official. I believe after seventeen years of being parents, we have finally lost our minds. I don’t know of any other reason either one of us would suggest something like this, let alone really consider it. But not only are we considering it, I am going  to make it happen. It’s been said that insanity is hereditary; you can get it from your children. Well, if we really go through with the Great Summer Adventure (or G.S.A.) of 2012, as I am referring to this event from here on out, then we are truly insane. I’m sure it will be a blast! I’m just sayin’.