In Loving Memory

Last night, I faced one of the most difficult and heart breaking decisions of my life. My sweet and loyal Millie became tired, and we had a big decision on our hands. Back in 2001, while in Graduate School at USC, I got a wild hair one day and decided that I needed a dog! I walked into the Humane Society in Columbia, locked eyes with little 5 year old Millie, and that was it. I knew nothing about her, but I knew I loved her instantly. She was mine and we spent the next ten years together. Millie  has been healthy all of her life. She never barked, didn't bite, and  remained by my side year after year. She was a treasure, for sure. Last year, sweet Millie was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure and progressively, her health declined from that point, on. Last night, after many phone calls to the vet, lots of tears, and a painful 24 hours of watching her suffer, Brad and I made the decision that it was time for Millie to run in Heaven. We were by her side through the very short and peaceful process, and I am so thankful for that time. Before she passed away, my sweet Brad asked if I wanted to say a prayer together, so we did. I am so thankful for Brad...my rock, for sure. 


God is amazing. His grace shines through at perfect times and He is forever faithful. Before we left the house, Addie had obviously noticed how upset mommy had been. I didn't want to hide my grief from her, as we strive to teach our children to feel all emotions that God has blessed them with. She and I talked about Heaven and how Millie would not be with us in the morning, but rather she would be in Heaven playing with other animals having a great time. We talked about how she would see Jesus. Addie cried, and hugged me in a way that I have never seen. I believe this was her first glimpse of understanding life and death, and although it broke my heart to see her sad, it was a wonderful lesson about God's faithfulness when we leave this earth. 


Earlier in the night, when Brad was playing with Addie and Carlie and I was on the phone with our vet, Addie ran to get her bible, flung it open  and exclaimed, "LOOK!". Brad looked at the page, and realized she had turned to the EXACT verse we had talked about in Sunday School yesterday about Paul's suffering. It was the same book of the bible (2 Corinthians) that holds my most favorite verse: "My grace is sufficient. My power is made perfect in weakness". We were floored. Out of all the pages, why those? Why did she get her bible in that moment? We know why. One word:  God. There He was....right there, with us, showing us His grace and mercy through our own child. Thanks be to God! 

In LOVING memory of a dear friend, my sweet Millie. We love you and we will see you one day running and wagging that cute tail in Heaven!