A Different Valentine's Day

It’s 5 am, Valentine’s Day morning. Nothing new about that. That’s my usual get-up-and-go time to first thing post my blog for this day. But, something’s different about this day.

It’s 28 degrees outside – the coldest morning so far this year here in Frisco. And, I’m all geared up in my husband’s ski-pants, my ski jacket, ski gloves and Alaskan fur hat (all are about 30+ years old). I’m out walking pint-size, Miss Emma, at 5:15 am. She hears me make a tiny noise when I get up and she is raring to go do her business outside. BTW, Miss Emma is my Wallace family’s "super cute", 5-pound Yorkie. Her brother -- burly, hairy, 75-pound Australian Shepherd, Buddy, took to the road in the big truck and RV with the Wallace’s the day before. And, I, who normally have only the responsibility of myself to make it through the day – has this girly-girl Emma for six days until Alexia, my granddaughter, flies back home and resumes Miss Emma's caregiving.

Donna, why don't you just let her out in your back yard to do her business? My backyard is sitting in so much water from all the rain we’ve had recently. My mistake.A bath was called for to get rid of the wet mud. I know you're laughing at this dog saga and me – the one who admits to only being a dog-liker, not a dog lover. At my young, but ripe age – it’s a lot of love for my family that gets me out of my routine for little responsibilities for living beings (including plants). But the walks and having someone to talk to is good medicine on this Valentine’s Day. After all, I could be a wimpy, whiny mess. But, not me! I’m on assignment!

As I’m walking this girl, I think about this “lovers” day. No lover, but a compact, 11-year old, Yorkie (Thankfully, in dog years, she's older than me!). But, I leave her side to re-enact some Valentine's memories when my Sweetheart and I typically enjoyed going out for a movie and dinner together. So, I do on this day. To top it off, I come home to beautiful flowers from the Wuerch's and along with the pooch hand-off, the Wallaces give me a sweet card and a $25 gift card.

I think of the novelty of having my Sweetheart with me in my heart AND little Emma with me. This photo is a cherished one of Emma and Papa snoozing. How could I complain that he got to go to heaven much earlier than we expected? His race was finished on this side of heaven and mine is still ongoing.

I’ve had a love of my own, you see. I would NEVER want to bring him back, but, one thing’s for sure, I am determined to be with him in heaven someday. So, I’m purposing to live each remaining day as if it is my last day on earth. That means I’m endeavoring to spend each day wisely, acknowledging the Lord in prayer, spending time in His Word, worshipping Him, serving Him, loving others, AND loving this 5-pound Yorkie.

I am celebrating love with all of you lovers out there. I urge you to live in the moments and treasure the moments God has given you. Please don’t take those moments for granted. Be brave and faithful and true. Cling very close to each other and make everyday sweeter than the day before. I promise you -- you'll be so glad you did -- especially when your only companion happens to be a 4-legged friend!

Who Said I'm Not a Dog Lover?

Five years ago, Payton, my then 13-year-old grandson, was quite the entrepreneur repairing and selling cell phones. He earned enough money to purchase his Australian Shepherd pedigreed puppy that came with a pretty hefty price tag! They lived in the Seattle area and had to drive a couple of hours north to see and purchase him, but left him until he was old enough to be weaned from his mama. What a twosome they were!

I was a dog-liker, not a dog-lover. I lived in Tulsa and was visiting them. When I saw "Buddy" for the first time, Payton had sprayed his Papa’s (my husband’s) favorite cologne on him to be sure I was attracted to the little guy. I was. It probably didn’t take the cologne, but it sure made me want to cuddle him even more.

Fast forward five years this month, and these two “buddies” have grown up! And, so have I. Now, my visits to the Wallace’s include Buddy meeting me at the door with tail wagging and running to the back door – his indicator for me to pitch the tennis ball to him. He loves it. And, I love him! Did you catch that? I became a dog lover! What’s that about?

We are creatures of habits when we say “I’ll never have a dog or cat or we’ll remark “I’ll never eat that food or go to that place, or sit through that concert, etc., but then the habits get tossed out the window when a “shift” takes place in our thinking. Suddenly new likes and habits are acquired. Maybe you can think of something that you’d never do and you’re smiling as you read this post, because you did it and love it. The fact is life is about CHANGE.

Thank God. He never changes. He is the one constant we can assure ourselves of daily. "I am the Lord, and I do not change.” Malachi 3:6. “He’s the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13: 8.

I love hearing stories of people who said, “I’ll never be able to give up smoking” and with grit and determination, today, they are literally “smoke-free”! And stories of an abused woman who thought she would never have a new life, and through Christ’s mercy and her tenacity, is now an overcomer.

We may waiver in our “I will never……” but God won’t. Maybe today’s a good day to say “I’ll never say never and I’ll be open to any change that makes me love greater and open up myself to whatever possibilities that God has in store for me." May we awaken to the assurance that He KNOWS ALL and if we’ll adapt to His ways, we’ll come to appreciate what we didn’t like before and even fall in love with them. Maybe part of our future includes changes that will cause us to enjoy the ride a little more! I’m throwing in the towel and opening up my mind to possibilities! How about you?