To Honor Sophie

We had to put my beloved 14 year old Bichon, Sophie, to sleep yesterday. She was the best dog I ever had. She was an angel in her time on earth and now she's an angel in heaven. I miss her so much. I love dogs. They teach us so many life lessons:
*When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
*Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
*Experience fresh air and the wind in your face as pure ecstasy.
*Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
*Take frequent naps.
*Stretch before rising.
*Play every day.
*Thrive on attention and the touch of others.
*Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
*On warm days, lie on your back in the grass.
*On hot days, drink lots of water and sit in the shade.
*When you're happy, dance around and wag your body.
*If you're scolded, run back and make friends.
*Delight in the joy of a long walk.
*Eat with gusto and stop when you've had enough.
*Be loyal.
*Never pretend to be something you're not.
*If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
*When someone is having a bad day, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
You were a great dog, Sophie. Rest well. I love you.

The Christmas Light

The Light

That was Christmas

Shined on the shepherds

Until the impossible

Was seen,

Traveled through

The years,

Shines on in

Love to a

Damaged world

That's lost

 its' way,

And fills up

Hearts

That still seek

His peace.

Wishing for all of you a merry and blessed Christmas, making memories with your loved ones.
Love, Peggy

There's Still Joy

I came home a week ago to find this inflatable Santa in my yard. My grandchildren put it there. My husband had been threatening to get an inflatable for several years and I always said "Over my dead body". But I guess when your grandkids give you a Santa surprise you just smile and thank them.

Actually, that's been about the last bit of joy we've had in our house lately. My husband's precious 97 year old mother has been in the hospital the past week dying of encephalitis of the brain. I think the worse thing in the world is sitting in a hospital room all day, day after day, watching someone die who is not even conscious you are there. It brings back too many memories of when my mom died one year ago after a massive stroke and 5 days of unconsciousness.

Her funeral is Friday. After traveling back from there I'm going to try real hard to get back in a Christmas mood. After all, Jesus came to give us hope amid our feelings of hopelessness, to give us joy to replace our sorrow, to give us peace when our hearts are troubled. Because the Light of the World came down and shined into our darkness those 2000 years ago, there's always the possibllity of joy. I'm going to grab mine soon.

Light of the World

"Because of God's tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace", Luke 1:78-79. NLT

I ran across this verse in my Bible this morning. I've always loved the picture of Jesus as being the light that came to shine in the darkness of the world. I guess because I've struggled with darkness so much in my battle with depression.

I pray His light shines in the darkness inside me this winter, bathing me in its' glow and keeping the depression away. May His light shine in my grandkids faces at Christmas as they unwrap the presents lovingly chosen for them.

 His light is shining in the thousands of lights in our downtown square and in the smiles of families celebrating Christmas togetherness. His light is shining in the lights of my Christmas tree as I eagerly anticipate my family coming home to be wrapped in my loving embrace.

I pray that Jesus' light shines into all the dark corners of our world and leads us into an unparallelled season of peace and hope. I pray that His light shines brightly on your Christmas celebration this year, chasing away all darkness, and that you have the best Christmas ever.

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it", John 1:5. NLT