I'm sorry I haven't written much lately. Things around here have been a little a off. I spend the last week with my family in Mississippi and made a concerted effort to spend no more than five minutes a day on the computer. So imagine that? Me with no cell phone signal and only a few moments of Internet for an entire week. There's really something to be said about being so electronically removed. Kind of a relax, revive and re-access sort of thing, ya know.
All though, I'm not sure how much "relaxing" was accomplished. I ended up spending most of my time paying attention to our families old, sickly hound dog Suzie. I even slept on the floor with her so she wouldn't be alone while she was feeling ill. I've written on here extensively about Big Blue – you can read more on her here, here and here -- so I won't recap too much except to say that Suzie wasn't just a pet. She has been part of our family for 14 years.
To label her "a dog" would fail to truly describe Suzie. She was much more than that… she was our accomplice, defender and comforter. She was our sister and she died on July 3 – my birthday.
There's not much that I can say about Suzie without breaking down and sobbing like the weak bitch that I am, and that's that sort of person Suzie liked. She didn't really tolerate whiners or complainers. She was always much happier when we were happy so that is how I choose to remember and honor her – with a decade and a half of sweet, fun memories.
But I will say this, I think sometimes the stars align at the right moment and God grants you a special wish so that things can come together like they are supposed to. November 16, 1996 was that sort of day. My sisters were experiencing the death of our beloved grandfather and it was our first taste of grief and loss. We were heartbroken and in much need of something to comfort us. That evening our beagle had puppies, only one of which would survive. So it was with the death of my grandfather that Suzie entered our lives. Call that what you will, but I believe that a higher power gave her to us at that moment because it's when we needed her most.
It's only fitting that the similar sort of circumstances would befit her leaving our lives.
My sisters and I rarely get to visit our parents' home at the same time – maybe only once a year, if we're lucky. But this past weekend, last minute plans were made and by a stroke of luck we were able to gather with only one day's notice. Though no one had any clue that Suzie was nearing her final hours, something – call it God or fate or magic – brought us girls all back together for Suzie's last night.
Being there with Suzie was the best birthday gift I ever received. We were able to say goodbye and hold her while she slipped away. Then we sat around and told our favorite Suzie stories. We laughed and cried and reminded each other of forgotten antics. As the night grew later, our mama turned to me and softly said she was sorry that Suzie's death happened on my birthday. But I'm not sorry at all. To me, saying a proper goodbye to a sister and friend is a perfect celebration of life -- a life she was very much a part of.
All though, I'm not sure how much "relaxing" was accomplished. I ended up spending most of my time paying attention to our families old, sickly hound dog Suzie. I even slept on the floor with her so she wouldn't be alone while she was feeling ill. I've written on here extensively about Big Blue – you can read more on her here, here and here -- so I won't recap too much except to say that Suzie wasn't just a pet. She has been part of our family for 14 years.To label her "a dog" would fail to truly describe Suzie. She was much more than that… she was our accomplice, defender and comforter. She was our sister and she died on July 3 – my birthday.
There's not much that I can say about Suzie without breaking down and sobbing like the weak bitch that I am, and that's that sort of person Suzie liked. She didn't really tolerate whiners or complainers. She was always much happier when we were happy so that is how I choose to remember and honor her – with a decade and a half of sweet, fun memories.
But I will say this, I think sometimes the stars align at the right moment and God grants you a special wish so that things can come together like they are supposed to. November 16, 1996 was that sort of day. My sisters were experiencing the death of our beloved grandfather and it was our first taste of grief and loss. We were heartbroken and in much need of something to comfort us. That evening our beagle had puppies, only one of which would survive. So it was with the death of my grandfather that Suzie entered our lives. Call that what you will, but I believe that a higher power gave her to us at that moment because it's when we needed her most.It's only fitting that the similar sort of circumstances would befit her leaving our lives.
My sisters and I rarely get to visit our parents' home at the same time – maybe only once a year, if we're lucky. But this past weekend, last minute plans were made and by a stroke of luck we were able to gather with only one day's notice. Though no one had any clue that Suzie was nearing her final hours, something – call it God or fate or magic – brought us girls all back together for Suzie's last night.Being there with Suzie was the best birthday gift I ever received. We were able to say goodbye and hold her while she slipped away. Then we sat around and told our favorite Suzie stories. We laughed and cried and reminded each other of forgotten antics. As the night grew later, our mama turned to me and softly said she was sorry that Suzie's death happened on my birthday. But I'm not sorry at all. To me, saying a proper goodbye to a sister and friend is a perfect celebration of life -- a life she was very much a part of.
4 comments:
Awww, I hate to hear Susie passed, but I am sure she is with the other pets that have blessed our lives through the years. H.
Susie was such a character! When I used to do up to feed her when the family was gone she refused to go outside for me. She would give me a look that said, "Naw hussy! Don't even think you got the right to tell me what to do." And I didn't cross her. She was a loyal family member who helped raise all her "kids" whether they were human, canine or feline. I will miss that look she used to give when we kept her and when H came to clip her toenails. She was one tough old girl!
I still can't believe she is gone. I emaild dad today and asked how the girls were. I had typed "how is su" before I remembered. It was painful to hit the backspace key. I cried for Susey at work... again. There will never be another Big Blue. That is for sure. I love you. Thank you for the blog. It is nice to see her. - middle sister
I know how hard it was for you to let her go. I remember you telling us about her antics. It's cliche but she's in a better place and it is funny how Fate works, isn't it?
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