Oh, may I never have to take that title to this post and say it again! Here's the deal, people say completely inappropriate stuff. I generally write it off as they don't know how to act or speak when you say you lost a child. I have given some thought to how I answer the question "How many kids do you have?" My answer is, almost always, 3 on earth, one in heaven. It's straight forward and I feel good about it. I generally don't explain further, unless they ask. So here I am, this weekend, in a professional seminar about marketing for the holidays and a girl (not sayin' woman anymore...) and I go to lunch. We are acquaintances, we know general stuff about each other. So she asks about my kids...I tell her...she asks what happened to Harrison...I tell her...she then says (I kid you NOT) that she knows EXACTLY how I feel...(insert tears) she just lost her d.o.g. (Please pick your jaw up...I KNOW!)
I am stunned. Shocked. I thought I had heard some fairly insensitive stuff. I am not prepared for this. I can say nothing. I sit wishing my diet Pepsi had a little something added to it...I decide in my mind (which is reeling) to ignore that this came out of her bloody mouth. (Sorry, I might have been a bit peeved.) I sit through 2+ hours of more training...(not by her anymore!) I leave and call a girlfriend. Thank GOD for girlfriends! I explain what happened and she started laughing! And because I know my girlfriend truly cares about me, I see how downright hysterical this is, cause this girl has NO clue! No clue to love beyond the love of her dog! (I should add, I love my dog
usually and I do love my pets, but they are NOT my children.)
So people are weird. I will never look at her the same. I know love beyond measure and give love that can not be humanly explained. Love that has no boundaries.
"
So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much, but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent "
Philippians 1
The Message
I don't want to sound like a non-animal lover...but I do think the Lord has a big point in this statement.
Love appropriately. I love my dog, appropriately, I love my kids
beyond measure. It is my sincere prayer for everyone that they experience true love. Love that grows. Love that is like a hot air balloon...a fire lit, a take off moment and then the floating higher than you ever imagined. That is the love I feel for God and my family.
Love,
Jenn
