The Good. The Bad. The Ugly: No Room for Gratitude

One in the morning, I texted my dad and canceled our turkey day plans. We would stay home and I would mope after being up most of the night. I took a sick baby to the ER only to return home to my eldest son with uncontrollable tears. His dog was missing.

I debated on blogging about this in fear of judgement. Would people think we didn't care and let our pet run loose to her death…but it was quite the opposite. We were so protective of her. My son was so good to his dog. He played with her EVERY day after school for hours. He loved her so much.

She was in an indoor/outdoor dog. I would feed her in the mornings and put her out on her chain after lunch where she would stay until my son got home from school. He would then play with her and bring her in to eat and rest. Before bed he would let her out one last time to potty.

He let her out to potty. He usually stands on the porch. I'm not sure what happened this time. When he realized she was missing panic set in. We had closed the gate earlier that day when they were playing. We began to yell her name.  They searched the fields. After a long search in the fields, we knew we had to search the road; and that is where they found her. She had made her way to the road.

Their faces said it all. I knew what I feared most had happened. My son just went to his room. I didn't know what to say or do. All he wanted was a dog for his birthday. A dog to be his best friend. He had found this in our sweet Rowdy Lady.  I crawled in bed with him and held him. I did my best to console him, but he was already blaming himself. I was angry. Why? Why did this have to happen!

I woke up with no room for gratitude in my heart. I told my husband I canceled our plans. We would stay home. He on the other hand was not going to let the earlier events from that night spoil the day. He had me text my dad. Him and the littles would carry on with the scheduled festivities. I would stay home. Alone.

Mark at work. I got up, made my macaroni dish, got the kids dressed, and had them all ready to send off. Fifteen minutes before time to leave I decided, no,  I'm GOING! A day of thanks. I had so much to be thankful for. What was I thinking…so many would be celebrating Thanksgiving with only memories of their loved one. I have my husband. My children. I have much to be grateful for.

I'm so glad I decided to go. I enjoyed my day with family. Family I don't get to see often. Even in sorrow, there should always be room for gratitude.