It’s not easy, when you’ve experienced a loss such as we have, to find things to be thankful for. Yet they are there, and as our pain eases just a tiny bit each day, I can find those things as I sit and reflect. So, for today’s Thankful Thursday, I thought I would share a short list of the good things in our lives that are helping us through this difficult time:
First, and most of all, Luke and Samantha. Their love is what we need the most right now.
- Sam had a vet appointment this week, for her six-month T4 thyroid test. I was at the vet’s office for a while, because her thyroid was a bit low and they wanted to run additional blood tests to be sure all was OK with her kidneys. During the time I sat waiting, one of the vets, and our favorite vet tech who we’ve known for many, many years came out to express their condolences on our loss of Cricket. The vet tech and I talked on for a while about all our pets and that was nice.
In the end, all was fine with Sam, and she won’t need any changes in her meds. I’ve been a bit concerned because she’s not eating as well lately, and she had lost some weight, but we think it is just time for another change in her food. That is not unusual, she usually gets bored with it after a few months.
Sam enjoys breakfast in the morning sun. Eat up, Sam! - Our home and farm. We have been in our new home for over two years now and we’ve made a lot of changes. But there are still projects, big and small, that we want to tackle. Some of the big ones must be put off because of finances, but there are a lot of small things we are going to do ourselves. I’m going to start some more painting soon. Planning these things is something we really enjoy, and a welcome distraction.
Spring is arriving (we think) and the melting snow means we can start some yard work and garden planning. When I’ve been feeling down, getting outdoors, ordering seeds and some chicks (yes, we’ll have new chicks coming in May!) has been a real pick-me-up. I even have some seeds started already and there is nothing like working in the soil to soothe the soul. I also have a new garden plan that is very close to my heart, and I’ll be sharing more about that soon.
The snow is slowly retreating, though things are still looking pretty drab around here! The birds keep up busy and entertained as well. Even though Luke might not be impressed with the guinea hens, and they can be a pain (I spent literally 10 minutes yesterday chasing them out of the yard so Luke could go outside), they are so much fun to watch.
It was pouring rain and this foolish guinea was sitting up on the garage roof! They make us laugh with their antics. - This blog. I let myself have some down time from it. However, the truth is, writing and sharing about our lives here is SO cathartic for me, that it was just another thing I felt lost without. I truly worried about how Cricket’s loss was going to affect this. One less pet means less to write about and share new photos of. But as my pain eased a bit, I found my creativity coming back, and that’s a huge relief. It won’t be the same without Cricket but getting back into the swing of things as far as the blog goes really helps. There may be some small changes, but we will keep going because I need this.
- Family and friends. So many have been here for us, including blog friends and readers, and that means so much to me. I tend to retreat into my pain, but this time I’ve let it out more and I have reached out when I needed to. There is always someone there for me. Each and every comment left here on the blog and on social media has helped heal my heart, as has every card, text, and message I’ve received. Knowing how much so many others loved Cricket means the world to me. I am truly grateful for that and to everyone who has been here for us in any way. Thank you.
My dog memorial area is crowded with the new cards we’ve received. I’ll be adding Cricket’s photo there as soon as I pick out the perfect one.
Even though winter does not want to give up here in New England, the promise of spring gives hope. Most days we feel that hope, while some we stumble through feeling a bit more lost. But I know that just as sure as spring will actually arrive, our hearts will heal, because we have each other, and that is what I am thankful for most of all.
Thank you to our friends at Brian’s Home for hosting this blog hop, and reminding us to always look for the thankfuls. Please visit other blogs through the links below!
You may know I have a gratitude page on Facebook. I’ve found that trying to find something to be thankful for every day is really helping me.
When you experience a loss, such as Cricket’s, finding the gratitude is down right hard, but at the end of the day, you can always be grateful for love. Love you and Cricket had for each other, and the love you give and receive from the other pets.
Just when I started posting again on the gratitude page, I saw a video of a woman who was talking about a great loss. She had miscarried twins, and gone to the hospital, had to have a DNC and then came home to tell her older children about the loss. She was in pain, emotionally and physically, and of course she was bleeding. As she lay in bed that night, she wanted a good thought in her mind before she fell asleep. She watched her Husband as he carefully, and tenderly tucked her into bed that night, and that’s when it struck her. Despite all the pain, she was truly loved. And that is such blessing.
Hang onto the love when it gets hard.
Oh Jodi, what a beautiful comment! I keep reading it over and over and it makes me cry every time. You are so right, the love is what we need to hang onto. Some days, the bad days, it feels like the only thing we have that is consistent in our lives. ♥♥♥ Thank you so much for those thoughts and that story.
Glad Samantha doesn’t need a change in meds. Wow 2 years already in the new home, seems like you just moved.
I know, it’s hard to believe! On the other hand, this has so much become our home that it seems like we’ve been her forever.
I’m glad that Sam is okay; she and Luke are on double-duty, after all. Spring is slow in coming here in the Rockies, too. We had snow and sleet during our first home opener of the local baseball team. But the sun is shining again and the plants and trees are beginning to remember that they can be more. Hang in there.
We’ll get there….I know we will. We are getting more sunshine, but we just need to get rid of the cold breeze and it would seem so much better! A couple more days we’re hearing…..
I’m glad Samantha is doing well. It’s good to have things to help you through your loss. Keeping you in my thoughts.
Thank you so much, Edie. We got a new dry food for Sam’s suppers, and she’s already eating better! Now to tackle the canned food she eats for breakfast, or rather, doesn’t really eat!
We know it’s not easy recovering from a loss of a pet such as Cricket, but we’re glad you doing your best to get through it. One day at a time.
Thank you.
This was a fantastic post. I’ve found myself thinking many of the same things – having the comfort of other pets to ease the loss of a furry family member, filing my time with other activities so as not to dwell on what’s gone (but still allowing yourself to grieve), looking forward to other activities. Great news about Sam. I hope Raven’s next checkup shows her T4 levels are near normal.
Thank you. We will have all paws crossed here for Raven as well!!
There are times when it feels difficult to find things to be grateful for but a few minutes of reflecting always brings so many reasons to say “thanks” and I’m glad you are finding those.
I’m very happy to read that your hearts are healing! I know how tough it can be some days – I still have tearful days over Callie now and then – but putting into words all the “things” we still have to be thankful for really does help the healing process along. Giant Gentle Hugs for you and hubby and ear rubs and puppy kisses for Luke and Samantha. 🤗🤗🐶🐶😘😘🐾🐾
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I am glad to hear you are enjoying some wonderful blessings even in the middle of missing Cricket so much.
Those bright spots are so much needed, and I am so grateful we have them.
Losing one of our four legged babies is horrible. We lost our Little Bit in 2015 and the pain is still sharp.
You did find many things to be thankful for and that’s a good thing.
Have a wonderful Thankful Thursday. ♥
I am so sorry for your loss too. ♥
WELCOME BACK
It’s nice to be back, well, most of the time anyway.
When you are truly close to your animals losing one is a devastating loss. You have demonstrated true thankfulness for life by getting up and moving, even if it doesn’t feel like forward movement all the time, it will get there. It is just the process of grief. It refuses to be rushed, it demands time.
I’m not sure if quick or delayed is easier/harder. There are gifts and pain in both. A prolonged goodbye provides more memories, more time, but it also makes you question each day, each struggled movement, waiting if this is the “moment” you’ve dreaded. It can wear on you too. As I said it is never easy.
You will find your path through this and it might be very different or similar to those of us who have also lost a dear dog. The first step you have taken and that is just getting up and moving. The rest will come with time. Peace to you and your family.
Thank you so much for your very kind and comforting words. We have experienced these losses both ways, and I am still not sure which is worse. I guess the bottom line is it is painful no matter how it happens. But for Cricket’s own sake, I feel it was better this way. And I also would have hated to see her slow down and not be able to enjoy the things she did.
We will keep moving forward, even when it feels as if we are taking steps backwards at times as well.
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Yes, sometimes it’s difficult to find the thankful, but you did a darn good job. I’m thankful that all is okay with Sam, she is a cutie. We’re ready to see some of your garden goodies soon. Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
it’s great to have Luke and Sam… and the funny guinea fowls who can bring a smile on your face…. the main thing is to feel and to be not alone when our heart is as heavy as a rock…