LadyCarrie

What a wonderful experience for both of you. Thank you for sharing it with us. Carrie

Make that just one "much," rather than two.

Dear Anne, I first read your great piece on Resilience last night, and realized I need to have a study on the subject myself. I read it again this morning, and yet there is still more to ponder. As always, you've studied, learned, and graciously shared with us what you've learned. You've given me much to much to think about. Thank you for being a blessing to me. Hugs, Carrie

How very precious, and easy to love! Carrie

I am thinking of you and Tammy today, Mitch. I'm thinking of you also, Kay, and am praying for your safety as you travel. Blessings, Carrie

Mitch, I have been thinking of you and your Tammy a lot for the last few days. Because of my own situation, I never know when I can write. Please know that I care, and that I will be thinking of you tomorrow. You have "a whole bunch" of people who care that you are hurting, but are grieving too intensely to write. They read, and many pray. Hugs, Carrie

My belief regarding the lamb and lion has been a future event. ❤️

Dear Kay, I'm just now catching up after a busy two weeks, so just read what you wrote about the marriage forum. You go, Girl! I add my applause with all the others who applauded you. You are right in what you said. You said it well. Marty told you what I would have liked to say had I found your post earlier, and she said it so beautifully. Now, I'll go back and read what everyone else had to say. My ancestral genes acted up on your behalf, so I needed to respond. Carrie

I believe my Thank You goes to Marj. ❤️ Carrie

Hello to all, Until our wee Ashely Rose Doxie died, I did not believe animals go to Heaven, for I had been taught since childhood that Jesus died for people only. I do not believe it was an accident that I found the following excerpt in an article just after Ashely died. I believe God led me to it, because I had/have a great need. It was originally written in "Illustrated History of Methodism," 1887. For the entire article, see www.imarc.cc/reghist/reghist5.html. A Survey of the Life and Times of Adam Clarke as recorded in the Illustrated History of Methodism" 1887. "Dr. Clarke, with his generous nature, never could have been any thing but an Arminian. Free grace was a doctrinal necessity to him: no predestination could stand in the way of any poor sinner who wanted to be good and go to glory. According to his hospitable ideas, the front door of heaven stood wide open day and night, and he was almost ready to believe there was a side door, or a back door, also, by which the animal creation might enter. And in this latter view he held with John Wesley, who regarded it as highly probable." Adam Clarke (b. 1760-1762, d. August 28, 1832[1]) was a British Methodist theologian and biblical scholar (Wikipedia). I use the Adam Clarke Commentary along with my Bible as part of my morning worship. I cannot remember what "prompted" me to read this article, but I believe I know Who. I showed this to Jerry, as soon as I found it. This new information brought us great joy at a time when our grief was raw and recent. I hope and pray it will be a comfort to others here as well. If these great theologians believed this probable, I believe it's probable also. Now we know our darling little fur baby will be running to meet us with all her little being when we go to Heaven. How grand is that! Someone (I can't ember who at the moment; I'm sorry) shared Celtic Thunder's "A Place in the Choir." I just found it, and listened to it with unbidden tears streaming down my face. I hadn't broken down to that degree in a while, but the tears were a mixture of pain and joy as I imagined our wee hound singing her little heart out in God's Choir. I'm still in need of a hanky, so please pardon mistakes. The screen is a bit blurred. We have Celtic Thunder's CD with this song on it (they are a favorite group of ours also). I just hadn't heard the song since Ashely died, so had not made the connection. What a visual to think of her and our other Doxie babies, Catey Elizabeth and Heidi Hilda, singing together! Our three little hounds in a Heavenly choir ~ what a picture in my mind! When Beauregard Doxie gets there, he can sing the bass part (he's 15). I'm sure God will forgive him for cussin' squirrels in our back yard. A big Thank You to whoever shared the music with us. Blessings, Carrie

Dear Kate, I am so, so sorry you are suffering such tremendous loss. My heart hurts for you. May God hold you tenderly, and give you comfort and peace in your heart by His supernatural love, strength, and power. Like Kay, I've never had such an experience, and my life ~ and griefs ~ are faith-based (Christian) also. I believe you were given a special blessing, for your need was/is great. I send you warm hugs, Carrie

Allie and Arlie are beautiful! I love them! Carrie

Good morning, I thank each of you for sharing what you've learned regarding support groups. Each one of you is helping others by writing what you know and feel. It feels good to help others as we receive help ourselves. I believe this is what God would have us do, for this is part of loving one another. Blessings, Carrie

Dear Anne, Jerry says that I am to tell you that we enjoyed your video very much, and that you did an exceptional work. He particularly liked the bird couples (I could tell by his low, sweet laugh each time). He says that you made good choices of all of your selections, and I think I've told you he really likes Andre Rieu's music and concerts. We enjoyed glimpses of yesteryear when we traveled so much when we saw the desert scenes. I add my amen. Thank you for helping us know your Jim better, and for sharing your heart and great talent with us. What a happy way to begin our day! Thank you. Blessings and hugs, Carrie

I send you warm hugs. ❤️ Carrie

Your kitties are SO beautiful! I know you are hurting so badly. I'm really sorry. I have recently lost one Doxie to kidney disease, and my other one is not doing well. She has kidney disease also. Our fur babies are our family, and it really hurts to lose them. Your hurting is understood here, and we all care. Blessings, Carrie

We missed you, Fae. Happy you are home, and so sorry you hurt your ankle. Carrie

Thank you, Kay. You are sweet. ❤️

Gail, My sister has spinal cancer, so I understand your feelings somewhat. My heart goes out to you. It hurts. I'm so sorry. We pray for a miracle throughout each day. My sister had a long medical career (surgical RN, Director of Nurses, Hospital Administrator), so is well aware of all that is happening to her. She doesn't want to die and leave her husband and other daughter, yet is comforted that she will soon be with her daughter who died a couple of years ago. She chose quality of life over quantity. She chose to be kept out of pain (bone pain is intense), and no other treatment. She is being cared for at home by her younger daughter. Both daughters were/are RNs. I was contacted night before last at 11:30 p.m. to be informed that my brother-in-law, whom I've known and loved like my brother since I was 8 years old, has SEPSIS, which is threatening his life right now. He, too, served in Vietnam Nam (Bien Hoa Air Base). You are being given the best of advice by others here. I just wanted to tell you that I understand, and I care that you are hurting. May God hold you all tenderly, and meet all your needs. Blessings, Carrie

I, too, am so sorry you lost your Orabelle. My heart goes out to you. I know you hurt so badly, and I'm so sorry. We lost our Ashely Rose (wee Black and Tan Doxie), age 14, last October 10 due to kidney disease. Our emotions are still raw and tender. We do all right for periods of time, and then something triggers waves of grief. Within days of Ashely's death, our other little Doxie named Callie, her cousin whose date of birth is one day after hers, was diagnosed with kidney disease. We learned she has kidney disease when we had her lab work done in preparation for oral surgery. Her vet dreaded telling us, especially since we had just lost Ashely. This news was/is way too soon. We relived Ashely's last weeks and days yesterday, because Callie was quite sick all afternoon (severe nausea and vomiting is common with KD). She still plays some, but Ashely played until the day before she died (Doxies live to play). Callie has needed oral surgery for a long time (bad teeth, abscesses due to KD, a growth), but the vet said that the anesthetic will likely cause her to spiral downward as Ashely did. Now, we've come to a time of deciding to go ahead with the surgery or not. We know she is in pain due to her mouth. We don't want her to be in pain, yet it seems we cannot go through the pain of losing her so soon. I think we will need to allow the surgery soon, because eating has become difficult. My husband, Jerry, is not well. His feelings were right on the surface yesterday. He sat on a love seat in out bedroom, and watched as Callie was so sick ~ several times over a period of hours. I saw his shoulders heave, and then saw the big tears rolling down his cheeks (hurts my heart). Here we go again. Perhaps Callie can get better again on the medications. I must stay strong, but I don't feel so very strong. I tell you these things to let you know I understand your pain at least somewhat, and that I care very much that you are hurting. All of us here understand and care. You don't have to go through this alone. Come back and share your heart with us whenever you need or want to talk. You will be cared for and understood. May God give you peace and comfort. Blessings, Carrie

I've been checking often, yet still missed this (in another place and later, I'll tell the likely reason I missed this). I'm excited for you and your family, Kay, and like the others here, I'm really sorry your DIL (and son) had such a rough time. Your little one is just precious! A beautiful baby with a beautiful name. How happy your heart must be! It's time for you to recuperate and regroup. Carrie

I keep checking! I'm with Marty. We are excited for you. Do be careful driving. Carrie ❤️

Dear Maryann, We have been hearing about this awful flooding, but I didn't know you live in the midst of it. I am so sorry you are threatened by flooding, and even sorrier that you are alone. It must be awfully scary for you. I wish very much that I could help you. I have a nephew and his family at San Antonio. We here in California are hurting badly for water. My family in SC say their farms are soggy. What strange weather patterns these days! I will pray for your safety, and for peace and comfort for your heart. Blessings, Carrie

Dear precious Anne, We are remembering you today while you remember your Jim in a special way. I woke up thinking of you. I prayed that God will be with you in a special way today, and that He will bathe your heart in His love, healing, peace beyond human comprehension, and comfort. You are precious and dear to all of us here at home, and here on our forum home. Warm hugs, Carrie

Hello, I, too, am so sorry for your loss. I can only echo what Kay and Marty have said to you. I care that you are hurting so deeply. I know what it feels like to be told how strong you are when inside you feel shaky and anything but strong. Sometimes being told that I am strong feels like a compliment, but I had rather just be understood. I believe you will find this a warm and welcoming place, and one where you can just be yourself. We all understand pain and tears here. We do our best to hold each other up as we hold onto each other. You are welcome and safe here. May God give you comfort and peace in your heart. Blessings, Carrie