Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Dearest God,

In two days Amber will walk through heaven's gates. How do I know this? I have come to believe that you give us love to share with others. You allow us to love animals, dogs, cats, birds, etc, making them part of our family. You make love grow giving birth to joy in our lives. As our relationships grow so does our love. It only makes sense to me that love for our pets, our family members, continues on even after their death and new life. As I imagine reunion with you and all our loved ones, I see us altogether once again.

Amber has given so much love during her ten years here on earth. As my daughter Jenni's golden retriever, she has blessed her family in so many ways. Every time I walk through the door Amber greets me with a gift. Sometimes it is a shoe or a toy or a scarf. Always she shows me her love by wagging her tail, brushing up close to me, and nudging my hand for a loving. I always tell her I love her even before I take a step into the house.

Amber is dying and we are all very sad. On Friday she will be put down because she is worn out, in liver failure, and with so many bone spurs and bad hips. The vet said she was astounded that she was still able to walk and function. We know why she is still going; she wants to keep giving love to those around her. And frankly, we want her to stay with us because we want to give her love too. But it's time to let go.

So often, frequently, sometimes every day I hear your words of challenge, "Trust me, trust me." Particularly when I can do nothing else, when I am at a dead end and can go no further, when I have no more answers I hear your soft call to trust you. You have taught me many life lessons and one is to trust you in all things.

There is nothing outside your loving care. All things go through you from beginning to end. Our beloved Amber is in your care and our great task is to trust you with her as we release her from pain and give her back to you.

Help us
in the
letting go process,
dear God.
Remind us
that life
is fragile
and love
is a
delicate flower.
We are blessed
every time
love comes
our way.
Teach us
to trust you
when we
fail to surrender
whatever it is
we desperately
hold onto.
Recall to
our minds
the truth
that love
goes before us
even as love
remains behind us
and all
we love.
Thank you.

Love always, Andrea