Thursday, October 2, 2008
A Bittersweet Day
On Grandpa's eightieth birthday, we bought him a little pup that he named Rosie. She was by his side when he went out do to the chores, and in his lap when he sat in the swing to drink his tea. He's been gone for eight years now, but Rosie has been on the farm all that time and is now in her fourteenth year. We've known that she was on borrowed time. Each winter, we wondered if it would be her last. In the back of our minds, we knew that the day might come where we would have to make a decision. Though we hoped it wouldn't come to that, yesterday was that day.
It was hard to say goodbye to her. She was the last living piece of Grandpa on the farm. But, each of us said our good-bye and my oldest son and I took her to her final journey to the vet. She was wrapped in Gram's blanket and Grandpa's shirt and is now at rest here on the farm. Our youngest son was especially sad. One of his first words was "Ro Ro," the name he has called her since. He was mainly missing his grandparents, and questioning why everything that once belonged to them seems to have died or gone away. "But we do have the land," I reminded him. Something that will remain forever.
Farm life has a way of going on, however, which is what makes it so wonderful. We awoke to the sound of not one, but seven little peeping chicks this morning! It was an unexpected blessing. Momma Hen had a nest hidden away in one of the hosta plants. They are just precious and we have enjoyed watching them today. It's quite chilly here, so I noticed that she stops frequently to warm them.
Yes, that is the big story here. It's COLD! I was able to get out a new soft pumpkin colored sweater that I was looking forward to wearing. There are no bare feet in our house today and the extra quilts are coming out at bedtime...maybe even before. I do look forward to these autumn evenings. The house just seems so cozy. Our family is all gathered in one place again and we seem to reconnect after the busy summer. It's a truly wonderful time of the year.
( The picture above is Grandpa and two of my sons, after doing chores. I know I have shared this before, but I dearly love this picture. When he comes to mind, I always think of him and his love for his grandchildren.)
Comments
Thursday, October 2, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by smmagers
That is a choice to make. It must have been hard. But what a blessing she sounds like for you , your family and Grandpa. I just love that picture. When God closes a door, Rosie going home , he open a window, the new chicks. God Bless, mj
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Thursday, October 2, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
aww...You found baby chicks! What fun! We've never experienced that before.
I remember the first time I saw that photo. It is so precious, Amy.
((hugs))
Angela
www.trustingdaily.blogspot.com
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Thursday, October 2, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by heritagehill
What a perfect photo! And a lovely post, thanks for sharing. Having the land on which your family lived is such a blessing and conection. We live in the house my Dad grew up in and I did as well. There are special memories everywhere!
Marilyn
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Friday, October 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Amy,
I'm so sorry about Rosie~ It is so hard for me when we have to watch our kiddos say goodbye to a dear pet......Karen (TGR)
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Friday, October 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by momgoose
I understand the wonderful memories a photo can bring. I cherish old photos of loved ones that I have lost through death or distance or severing. Keeping memories alive helps the love to live on. God bless you and your family.
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Friday, October 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
I am so sorry for your loss. It is so very hard to lose a beloved pet.
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Friday, October 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by kim2661
It's such a sad day when we have to say good bye to a beloved pet, I'm so sorry. Thank you for reposting your beautiful, heart warming picture-I had not seen it before.
Peace and blessings,
Kim
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Friday, October 3, 2008 - Sorry
Posted by TNDadx4
Sorry to hear about your loss. When one of our dogs died, we had a family service out near a tree that we planted when we moved in. Each member of the family got to say their good-byes before we buried her.
I thank God for the times that your children had with Grandpa. Our children's grandfather is not involved (by his choice) in their lives. Grandma was, before she passed. I am grateful for the time that your kids had with him.
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Saturday, October 4, 2008 - Grandpa has his dog back!
Posted by wannabeone
I'm so sorry about the loss of Rosie. I know exactly how your feel...our dear "boy", Hickory, was put down at our vet's office after it was discovered that what had so suddenly made him sick was that he had liver cancer. He was such a sweetie and he lived one month after turning 10 years old (January). When the vet gave him his shot to put him down, he looked up at me, laid his sweet chin on my knee (as I was sitting on the floor w/him) and passed very quietyly w/his chin still resting on my knee. Even though we have our cute little Maggie now - and got her a month after Hickory died - I still think of him everyday. Half the time I expect to find him laying at my bedside when I wake up and my first inclination is to try not to step on him. Old habits are hard to break.
He was such a good boy...right to the end.
By the way, is your vet Jim Mathias in Tipp? He's ours - and his sons are now, too. We've known them for years and used to go to church w/them. They used to homeschool their kids, too. One of his sons was the vet that put Hickory down and, bless his heart, b/c he'd known us nearly all his life I thought he was going to cry right along w/us. They were very sweet and one of the nurses cut a piece of Hickory's fur off and tied a bow around it and pressed his paw into a mold for us to keep. They are very thoughtful there. EXPENSIVE...but thoughtful! Ha.
Blessings, Kim Wolf<><
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Monday, October 6, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Mennobrarian
It's a great photo, and a perfect memory. So sorry to hear about Rosie, you were lucky to have a good farm dog for as long as you did, and a loyal companion for Grandpa. Now, please don't post anything else that will make me tear up.
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