Even though the sounds can be overpowering at times, I love hearing the sound of my girl and her friends playing together. I can tell they are in complete joy. :-)

Spring = new life. There's extra pep in my step just thinking about it! :-)

Good reading. I came across an excerpt from Brian Weiss' Same Soul, Many Bodies today that resonated very deeply with me:

"After Only Love is Real, my book about soul mates, came out, I received a letter from a woman that read, 'Well, I met my soul mate, but now I'm married. I have three children. He's married and has two children. Why didn't we meet when we were teenagers?'

Because destiny had a different plan. They were supposed to meet later. People come into our lives at certain times for various reasons having to do with lessons to be learned. It is not a coincidence that they didn't meet at a much earlier age when they did not have other commitments. I think the reason people meet later is to learn about love in many different ways and about how to balance this with responsibility and commitment. They'll meet again in a different lifetime. They must be patient."

That is profoundly moving to me. Perhaps it's because I come from the same camp as Dr. Weiss. Perhaps it's because I know exactly to that which he refers. Either way, I am grateful to have found this passage with which I can so deeply identify.

Transition. Not knowing what the future holds. Sometimes it is a demotivator, but for now I'm trying to keep it positive...

Grief. It is interesting because it's so dynamic and I find that I reflect a lot on the many lessons learned from the life and death of the important person (or in my case this time, doggie). While it's not fun, it is a necessary part of life and one that is so deeply moving.

Still missing my pup, but I know she is feeling better and her soul is, as my mini-me told me, "waiting to find the body of a new puppy to jump in to." Love you Millie girl.

My puppy girl, Millie. She was the epitome of unconditional love until the bittersweet end despite her many health issues. An email to my co-workers follows, posted here so I will not forget. May her soul be resting wherever she may be...

"Well, we took her in and she had lost another two pounds since Friday. Vet indicated that we could repeat the blood work and head in to a more aggressive treatment plan, but that may still have her in the horrible condition she was in within a couple of months. She was dehydrated too which, for a dog with kidney disease, is a huge problem as drinking extra fluids is the way they regulate themselves. Wasn't herself at all. She was pretty much catatonic all the way up to the point Mike came in to say his goodbyes and damn if she didn't stand up and wag her tail! I am glad she was able to say goodbye to me, Jayson, and Mike. Mike and I stayed with her until the end. We were both a mess. Jayson was too, but he didn't want to remember her lifeless... his last memory is her wagging her tail at all of us. I'm still pretty much beside myself but I know it'll get better in time. She is resting and no longer in pain and/or feeling badly."


Millie Senko: 9/28/02 - 1/21/14

Appropriate reading for today:

"Love is a universal power that has been called by many the supreme Good. The greatest teaching of Jesus was Love. He taught us to love one another - to love not only those who love us, but our enemies as well, even those who would hurt us. It is in these latter instances where we meet one of the most difficult challenges of life.

There is a conditioned human tendency to react with anger when we feel hurt. Our first impulse may be to say or do something hurtful in return, to retaliate. However, we learn as we evolve on the spiritual path that a reaction at the same level of the provocation can never be truly helpful or healing. We learn that only love can heal. When we remain centered in the knowledge that, as divine beings, Love is our true essence, we are guided not to react in anger but instead to allow the healing power of Love to express through us. In this way, we rise beyond discord and strife. We transcend disharmony.

Love renews and harmonizes. It uplifts and overcomes, and it brings forth the highest and best in each of us. To love is to expand into a life of greater paces, prosperity, and freedom. The universal power of Love always heals." ~Kathy Juline

Happy New Year! May the power of Love light your path and mine as we journey through our lives this 2014.