Endings

Beloved:

      Mine has been an extraordinary season of  family, friends, great food and a bittersweet loss.  Having all three kids and two extra students (now adopted sons) from Wabash has made my heart very happy.  I love Christmas cards and our habit of trading treats with favorite neighbors.  The bittersweet came the day after Christmas when our ten-year-old golden retriever, Cody, died. (Cody Update, 11/5/13)  He was kind and brave to the end but suffering too much.  He came to us as a puppy when Ben turned eight years old.  How my heart broke to watch my man-child son carry his beloved friend from the car to lay him gently on the veterinarian’s table to be put down.  Even Rosie Cotton, the other golden, is not herself without him.  I think she’d having an identity crisis, having never been an only dog.  

    Still, as another year begins I’ve nothing of consequence to grieve.  All of mine are healthy and prosperous enough.  We have food, work, companionship, and a peaceful home.  We want for nothing necessary.  Our griefs are most consolable and our enemies made of our own vices.  Faith is more constant than spoken yet always in the mix  as we live our days.  

    I pray the day and this new year find you content, peaceful, grateful, and full of joy.  ~ peace & prayers, pastor annette