Christmas 2018

Merry Christmas to one and all!  As I sit here on this grand Christmas Day, 2018 with my sick, coughing dog on my lap, I am reminded of how precious life really is.  Baby, this small dog, I am reminded, needs more help than most of us have ever dared to ask for and also has such a spunk for all of life's little pleasures like, daily walks and just sitting sleepily on one's lap and relishing in the touch of a gentle hand that tries to quiet those random, seemingly non-stop coughing fits.

She has the zest for life that says, "I am so very happy to see you when you come home from the store, or wherever you have been."  The wagging tail and the charming little bounce when she needs to go outside for a bit of relief.  She then proceeds to just cough and cough.  Her little body is just vulnerable, like so many of us when we catch a cold, but this one won't end.  She also has a heart murmur, which was diagnosed at her last vet visit.

As much as I feel sorry for her (and the medication will only do so much), I do not really look forward to the idea of not having her bouncy, fun and yet, so 'I'm not dealing with any of this' personality around some day in the future.  Granted she is a bit of an older dog.  At 12, she doesn't really seem that old, and we have only had her for about half of her life.

Christmas is such a time to not think about those kinds of things, but it is on my mind today.

Christmas is such a time when we are to remember that Jesus Christ came as a baby and endured so much so that each of us; you and I alike, are sure to be saved, so long as we have invited him into our lives and heart to live each and every day.

As the rest of today unfolds for so many, the perfectly wrapped gifts under the tree presented by 'Santa' or whomever, the great planned day of family gatherings full of fun, games, chatter and for some the loneliness that fills every corner, we can take comfort in knowing that today is one day of many in which to be so thankful for so many different things.  Let us not turn our hearts into stone and forget that while, we may not always have the perfect day of feasting or fun, we will always have eternal salvation through our Lord.

Have a safe, happy and blessed Christmas - with many, many years to come and love one another with the purest of intentions and not forget who gives us life, hope and love.www.facebook.com