Lil' Enlightenment

This afternoon I heard a few things I really like.

Earlier today I was talking with Jim's mom about how much I love Luna and how I can't think about or imagine when she is not my dog in a physical sense. Luna is working on 11 and gaining lumps and slowing down a little and I love her more than I knew I could love an animal. To think of a day without her, a hike without her or a morning without her makes me really sad. Jim tells me not to think about it. And to a point I agree, but I also think thinking about it is both natural and probably in some way a healthy way to prepare a little -- not that I should meditate on the inevitable, worry about it or pray upon it -- I know better than that.

So this afternoon I was escaping mass construction in the basement and watching Oprah upstairs -- the show was about spirituality and one that helped me to take away some positive ideas. A woman was talking about being very angry that her mother was very ill and could likely die from the illness. One of the spirituality "experts" asked her to, instead of being angry, thank God for the mother she had, the mother she so clearly loved and had learned from. And that is how I am going to think about Luna. I am thankful, so thankful, for her -- infinitely thankful for her and what I have learned from her. Focusing on that, instead of impending sorrow, makes me feel so much better. Shocker -- focusing on being thankful instead of being sad makes me feel better.