Goodbye Old Friend

Today my friend and cat of 19 years was put to sleep. She had been ill for a long time and it was amazing that she lived this long, but she quit eating this past week, lost a lot of strength, and was listless. My dad made the decision to put her down and I agreed. She was so important to me; it won't be the same when I go home. I think I am actually taking her death harder than when my grandma passed away 3 months ago. Lady Grey's death was more sudden while I had around 2 months to prepare myself for Grandma's death from cancer. I spent those 2 months grieving and the result was that when Grandma finally did die I seemed to be released from the grief. With Lady Grey every time I left to come back home I always wondered if this would be the last time I would ever see her; I always thought I had more time with my Grandma. Regardless, I miss them both.

Aren't our reactions to death funny? We know that it happens to everyone, but yet we are still surprised for the most part when it does, as if we forgot that it happens and that it must happen. Death forces us to remember that we are not ultimately in control of our lives and what happens to us. We are subject to the greater Power. There is nothing that we can do and nowhere we can go that would remove from under that Power.

Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

If I settle on the far side of the sea,
Even there your hand will guide me,

Your right hand will hold me fast.

~ Psalm 139:7-10 ~