there was a particular moment yesterday that's a little sad to reflect on, but gave me some good perspective nonetheless.
one of my mom's cousins was late to dinner because her cat is dying. if you've ever had a pet, you know how sad and unreal it is to see them slowly break down until their day has come. i've experienced this twice, once with my childhood dog dutch, who got so weak and sick we had to finally put him down, and another time with my cat sadie (the sweetest cat in the whole world) to whom we had to do the same thing to.
when my mom's cousin got there, i got up to greet her and give her a hug and tell her i'm sorry about the cat. and this is what she said to me:
thank you, ali. you know some people just don't get it. these cats [she has two] have been my longest relationships. i've had boyfriends come and go, and husbands come and go, but these cats have been through it all with me. seventeen years they've always been there when i got home and they've never left.in the moment, i was very supportive, and very understanding. but later, i remembered she was talking about cats. not her parents, or her sister, or her friends or co workers. cats. and it made me really sad. i'm not trying to discount how sad it is to have a dying pet, because my two experiences were very, very sad. but in the end, they were just my pets.
it made me sad, because it reminded me how lonely people are or can be. pets come and go, boyfriends come and go, maybe even sometimes husbands come and go, friends, family, you name it, they all come and go at some point in our lives. so is that it, then? are we just doomed to a life of loneliness because anything substantial in this life really isn't that substantial at all? maybe. those things, no matter what we do, will never stay with us every step of our lives. and yet, there is something that i have been able to count on, no matter where i go or who comes in and out of my life.
in matthew 28:18-20, jesus tells his disciples right before he ascends into heaven:
all authority on heaven and earth has been given to me. therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, son and holy spirit, and teaching them to obey everything i have commanded you. and surely i am with you always, to the very end of the age.jesus makes a promise, that he will be with us always, even to the end of the age (whenever that is).
so here is what i am grateful for. i am grateful that i have a father in heaven that will be with me always, even if the worst should happen and i end up stranded on an island somewhere (cast away style). i am grateful that i have a father in heaven who gives me more than i deserve in this life, such as my wonderful parents and brothers, and grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins galore. i am grateful to have a father in heaven who has given me a chance to never be lonely. no matter what this life may bring.
i am grateful for my father in heaven. thank you, god.
