Wednesday, January 18, 2023
“I’ll be there as I have always been with just one more surprise.” ~ John Ylvisaker
My granddaughter, Anne-Sophie asked her dad yesterday morning, “Daddy, is Kiko really dead?” I’ve had the same thought, every time I find myself getting ready to whistle for him, or prepare his breakfast, or notice he isn’t nearby and wonder, for a moment, if he’s out in the yard. It’s like that if you’ve lost a loved one, including a beloved pet. It’s as if your heart is still trying to catch up with the head.
It was like that when I got the call that his ashes were ready. I walked to the vet’s following a route Kiko and I would often take on our way to Seven Bends State Park. The receptionist brought him out to me with tears in her eyes and handed me the bag. I chose the long way home for this final walk. It wasn’t until I got home that I noticed a clay paw print of Kiko in the bag, next to his ashes. It was a lovely surprise and a wonderful keepsake.
Life is full of surprises, not the least of which are the small acts of kindness that feel like the hand of God touching a need we didn’t even know we had. The words from the hymn, “Borning Cry” speaks of such a surprise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAg1TQ-OkRc
I wrote of paw prints in my last post, not having any idea that I’d receive such a gift along with his ashes. Thank you God, for lovely surprises. ~ Pastor Anne
Wayfinding 