by Mary | Nov 10, 2008 | Uncategorized
This has been a very emotional day. We had to put down our beloved dog, Greta, who was 10 1/2 years old and had become very ill very quickly. After a weekend that included a midnight run to an emergency animal clinic and a rapid deterioration of the lovable chow-shepherd who was still often mistaken for a puppy despite her advanced years, today’s news was not a surprise. But that doesn’t make it any easier, does it?
The kids have been beside themselves with grief all day. They left for school this morning, running to catch the bus with tears streaming down their faces because they had just said good-bye to their dog, something we suggested they do “just in case” because we did not know how the vet visit would unfold. Chiara said good-bye and patted Greta’s head before heading off to her nap. When she awoke, the first thing she said was, “Is Greta gone?” The afternoon has been pretty rough — lots of tears but also lots of reminiscing about our dog, who was very gentle, very friendly, and very patient with children. Everybody loved Greta.
Noah is convinced that there must be dogs in heaven because paradise wouldn’t be paradise if something you loved wasn’t there. He’s got a good point. So we say good-bye to Greta, who sometimes drove us crazy with her barking at the back door but who never failed to be loyal and protective and everything a good dog should be.
by Mary | Nov 8, 2008 | Uncategorized
In yesterday’s post I said that the oak leaves had yet to fall. Well, apparently a memo went out last night informing the oak leaves that they should fall at once. Maybe they read the blog. This morning our backyard was ankle deep in oak leaves. Look at the photo at the top of this page and then look at the photo below. That’s a difference of about 15 hours and 15,000 leaves.
by Mary | Nov 7, 2008 | Uncategorized
Well, after a couple of contentious days in the comment section of NSS, I thought we’d take it down a notch and talk about something other than politics. So here we are. It’s Friday afternoon, and I’m just going to let my mind wander:
First. Pet peeves. It really irks me when the person on the arc trainer next to me at the YMCA doesn’t have headphones on. This means a. they can hear me huffing and puffing as I struggle to make it to 45 minutes at a cardio-pumping speed and b. they probably hear me singing under my breath to Matchbox 20 or U2 or whatever else I’m blasting into my ears. Of course, I’m guessing that guy next to me today might have a pet peeve about people who insist on singing under their breath when working out in public.
Second. November observations. Look at the photo at the top of this page. Those are the trees in my backyard, looking very mid-November. The oaks are always the last to lose their leaves. The steely gray sky (that’s a color photo), the semi-barren branches. So why am I wearing a T-shirt? I feel like I’m back in Austin. So much for a light topic. I have a feeling a global warming debate is about to break out in the comment section any minute.
Third. Prayer update. Remember last week when I asked you to pray for Constance, the 5-year-old with kidney failure? Well, keep those prayers coming. Constance is doing much better than expected. And, while you’re at it, I have a few other folks who could use a few good words. Please remember Charlie, a friend of the family who was diagnosed with colon cancer, and Bridget, a young girl who was rushed to the hospital today with an undiagnosed problem. Also keep those prayers coming for Emilie, Kathleen and Maureen, three courageous women who are battling cancer and inspiring us all.
Fourth. The weekend. Go do something fun. Tomorrow I will be with 100 Girl Scouts between the ages of 6 and 14, making Christmas ornaments for a nursing home and other locations. Does this fall into the “do something fun” category? That remains to be seen. Based on past years’ experience, I would have to lean toward “no.” Imagine six tables of very complicated ornaments that require gluing and stringing beads. Now imagine that every time you are halfway done with your ornament, someone rings a bell and tells you to move to the next station. I wonder if that’s what it’s like for Santa’s elves.
by Mary | Nov 7, 2008 | Uncategorized
I just wanted all of you to know that your prayers for little Constance, the 5-year-old with kidney failure, seem to be working.
by Mary | Nov 5, 2008 | Uncategorized
Whether you voted for Barack Obama or not, you have to admit that it was a pretty powerful thing to watch democracy at work yesterday. Seeing the long lines of voters in other parts of the country, the cheering throngs at rallies last night, the peaceful transition of a people from one president to another is so moving to me. I feel that way almost every Election Day. Every year it’s a reminder that this is one awesome system of government we’ve got here. This year the emotions ran a lot higher imagining what this decision much have meant to African-Americans who wondered if and when they’d ever see this day.
That being said, I am deeply concerned about what will happen to the unborn in the years ahead. As we sat and watched the election returns and it became clear that Obama would win, Noah turned to me and said, “But soon our federal tax money will pay for abortions. What do we do now?” We reminded him that, unfortunately, our state tax dollars are already being used to take the lives of the unborn. It was a poignant moment, one when I tried to walk a delicate balance of explaining our family’s unwavering support of human life from conception until natural death no matter what and of explaining that our president is our president and we respect the office and the man no matter what and pray that he will do the right thing when the time comes, although I’m not too hopeful considering Obama’a extremist record when it comes to abortion. If, as Obama has promised, he will sign the Freedom of Choice Act as his first order of business, it will mean completely unrestricted abortion at every stage of pregnancy with absolutely no limitations, no ability for those who are morally opposed to keep their tax dollars from paying for abortions, and no way for doctors and nurses to opt out of performing what they view as tantamount to murder. I won’t get into his position on partial-birth and born alive, and don’t tell me he didn’t do what he did, because he did and it counted and it mattered. Anyone who votes against giving care to a newborn who survives abortion — no matter what the legalistic reasoning — is wrong, wrong, wrong.
So…there you have it. I can appreciate the magnitude of what happened yesterday. I can tear up with emotion over what it means that this country elected its first African-American president. But I cannot check my conscience at the door just to try to make history. This was a tough election for me, but in the end I had to stand on the side of life, and I will continue to do so even if our president and our Congress do not.
