Sadness
I’ve been thinking a little about sadness today. It’s amazing to me how many different levels of sadness there are. And it blows me away that no matter what level you are in, there are always deeper levels of sadness and, the natural opposite of that, more shallow levels. It’s not that these ‘shallow’ levels aren’t as sad. They are just different.
Today is the first day Kristin and I are realistically looking at taking our dog of 11 years in to be put down. He’s at a point where he hasn’t eaten in three days, can barely walk and doesn’t even lay comfortably. I’ve talked to the vet, they recommend bringing him in when we are ‘ready’. I’m not sure we’ll ever be ‘ready’, but there’s a sadness in choosing when to end his life. Sadness.
A friend I went to High School with is burying her dad today. He had a long bout with cancer and it finally got the best of him and he passed last week. This same friend has a sister 2000 miles away, unable to travel to the funeral because she’s having a baby. Today. The very day of her own dad’s funeral. Words can’t even describe the emotional conflict going on in that house. The mom unable to be there for the daughter as she’s giving birth. The daughter unable to be there with the rest of her family as they lay her dad to rest. The joy of new life, and the ache of saying goodbye. Sadness.
Seems like this life is full of it. And there’s no way around it. I wish I had some inspirational thing to write on here, but I don’t. If you’re a praying person, offer one up for our friends in California. I’m sure they could use it.
Lord we know that in you there is comfort and peace beyond our need. Lord I ask that you would cover this family with both of those as they say goodbye. Lord I ask ask that the joy from this new life is not diminished by the sadness in the day because Your comfort overwhelms them. Lord I ask that you would give the mother peace in the knowledge that You are with her daughter, and Lord that you would heal the pain of her husbands death the way only You can. amen
You are right, we are never ready for sad things. I think inspiration comes from honest engagement with people and so actually this post is very inspiring. Thanks for writing.
Yes…those are, indeed, several “degrees” of sadness and ALL valid…much like the loss of friendship – real or perceived – of another. Of course, not to the level of sadness as you describe, above, but still…also a “death” of sorts where no one can help you through the ache. May God help ALL of us as we ALL grieve the MANY levels of sadness that this life cause us, due to our forefathers’ disobedience. And thank you, Brody, for being willing to share the many angles of sadness that you and your family and friends are experiencing…today…and the many days, to come, until the blessed day that we can ALL CELEBRATE TOGETHER, again, in HEAVEN! I will be praying for all that you shared. In His Ever-loving Arms…
I really hate when I have to decide that it’s “time.” With the dogs I have had to part with, I followed the thought of “better a day to early than a moment too late.” I owed it to my dogs to thank them for a lifetime of dedication by being able to release them when their suffering grew too great.
You have my prayers.
I saw Kristin’s post about Luther not eating and it breaks my heart. You are right in that you will probably never be ready to take him to the vet. We had to make that same decision several years ago and it was extremely hard but I could not let my sweet little dog suffer anymore. I’ll be praying for you all because I know how attached you become to your pets, they are a part of the family.
I’ll also be praying for your friend and her family.
Wow, all those are really sad. Praying for your friends family.
It was so hard to make the decision to put our dog down 2 years ago. We only had him 3 years. We buried him in our backyard. It was really hard to watch the mound flatten as the months went by. I still miss him.
You should check out the song “Benjamin” by Sanctus Real. It speaks directly to the friends point of view of this…. Almost EXACT situation. Been there too.
Hope it helps