Fresh, Hot Wastes of Time

I’ve been bonding well with my dog lately. Even though he’s eaten 3 loaves of my bread (he seems to prefer wheat as opposed to hub’s white bread), a package of graham crackers, and a Hershey bar, all in the past month. I miss him when he’s outside. He comes and lies under my chair when I’m in the office – no small feat, considering he’s an 80 pound Lab. I used to dislike dogs, but my aunt’s yellow Lab taught me to like them. When we first got Cuervo, he was so hyper and clumsy and generally un-catlike that I thought that he’d just be a good companion for hub and kids and that I’d just tolerate him. Now I think I get along better with him than anyone else in the house. And he’s fantastic with the kids. They crawl all over him, use him as furniture, yank on his ears, and the baby even occasionally steps on his dingding, but he’s never snapped or growled at them. The most he’s done (during the dingding incident) was moan.

Here he is with my older daughter a couple of years ago.

Heavenly Father,

On this anniversary of terror and disbelief and loss, we pray to you to watch over those who were lost and most especially to comfort those who were left behind. Cradle us in your loving arms and let us know that this was indeed part of your plan. Console us with the knowledge that our grief is not in vain. Bring tolerance and understanding and love to those who want to hurt us. Grant us courage to face this day, and the next, and every other day. Wipe our tears and hold us tight against the evil in the world. Have mercy on us, your children. Just as you lost your only son on earth, know that thousands of people have lost their sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, husbands, wives, and friends. Help us accept our losses, help us accept your love, help us love one another, help us live our lives with hope and dignity and your grace, we beseech you.

Amen.