If I were to be really honest, I'd have to say that I am glad - no, relieved, that 2012 is over. It was a rough year for me, and for so many others as well. Actually, the past 2 to 3 years have been extremely hard. I don't mean to have a big 'ole pity party, and I am really, truly usually a "cup half full" kinda girl, but the last several years that cup had a rather large crack in it, and it just kept on drizzling out. In 2 years time I lost my beautiful mom, my wonderful aunt/godmother, my beloved 15 year old dog, my sweet dad, and my husband's grandmother. I also had surgery, and then a recent health scare (that turned out to be fine, thank you very much), cleaned out and sold my parents' house (which was my childhood home), a husband that has had to travel almost non-stop for work, a major family crisis in my extended family, and a horrific hurricane that devastated our whole area. And, there's actually more, but the list is frighteningly long, and I just can't even bear to type more about it.
I couldn't help feeling that there was some sort of very dark, scary cloud above my world.
But as I cautiously have poked my head out from under the rubble into the new year of 2013, we have had blessing after blessing - some big and some small - but ALL blessings. Dare I finally exhale? Can I stop waiting anxiously for the other shoe to drop? As each day goes past, I can feel my body relaxing one little muscle after another - though honestly I'm a little afraid.
One such blessing has come in the form of a rather furry, clumsy, sweet, loving and loveable angel...
Meet Gretel.
Yes, we have a new critter!!
Around the holidays, that hole in my heart that was left when I lost my 15 year old Sabrina started to hurt even more. I missed having a dog so much that I knew it was finally time.
The search began.
And I found what I was looking for in this face...
She is from a rescue group. She was found in Missouri in the closet of a trailer that was being used as a meth lab. She had not a bit of fur on her body, and her skin, like tissue paper, tore at the slightest touch. She was nursed back to health by the most wonderful foster mom, and that is when she came into my life.
The love and joy she has already brought me in the few weeks that she is here is priceless and exactly what I needed.
Thank you sweet baby girl!!!
I love you!!!!
XO Helena
