Toby's Eyes...

We laugh at what excites emotion in us most, be it good or bad. We remember the experiences or events that have marked our minds the most: pets, childhood, poverty, parents, teachers, etc. In fact, funny is what saddens us the most. Reversed sadness. -Copied- That simple little sentence struck a remembrance cord with me this morning that made a soft laugh tumble out of my heart. Today my sister Patsy posted a comment by Billy Graham that made me smile and sent a rush of happiness throughout. "God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there - I believe he'll be there." Yes..dogs can 'excite that emotion' in us that can turn our sadness into a hearty laugh. Toby did that for me and still does. Sixty plus years later I can still tear up at the thought of the time spent with that mongrel dog. Toby was nothing to look at...mostly a small brownish mixed breed with mangled coat and eyes that could melt the buttons off a snowman! It's the eyes I remember most. My mom told and retold the story of Toby saving me from an early death at age 3. Being as headstrong then as I am now, I took it into my head to walk to the little grocery store down the lane from our home. A major highway separated me from that desire. I remember Toby kept bumping into my legs as we approached the roadway, continuously looking up at me with I now imagine, pleading in his eyes. He would not let me cross. I gave up. Mom came frantically running down the dirt road, screaming, with terror in her eyes. Mom was not a hugger....she hugged me! Mom wasn't much of a dog lover...she changed her mind that day. Toby became a hero in our home that day. But, I suspect he was more of a hero to me than to the others. School days took my older brother and sister away, which left Toby and I to spend long days roaming the open fields, coercing my quiet friend Lanny to come out and play and generally doing a whole lot of nothing. Toby never left my side. Whether we made up games, built forts, played tag or simply lay on trampled down weeds to watch the clouds go by, Toby was there, ever the protector, always with watchful eyes. Sometimes I would just sit and stare into his eyes, whispering words that I truly believed he could understand. After all, he would blink those eyes, but never turn them away as if in deep understanding of my whispered words. He was my companion, my constant, my playmate...my heart. I don't like to think of the day Toby died. Even now I am tearing up at the remembrance of it. How could one, homely, mongrel, matted dog bring so much happiness to my life and leave such a whole in my heart. I smile because he did, I cry because, well,...just because.

He Cares for me.....

I felt the desire to write this bright, brisk beautiful winter morning. It has been months since that feeling has prompted me to sit a spell and give way to some thoughts. September, the last blog, seems a long past memory, yet upon reading through my musings then, it dawns on me that things really don't change that much with the seasons. By that I mean, I've found something fascinating and wonderful about each one. Winter is upon us in full force, perhaps one of the harshest I can remember with it's bone chilling degree's. Just as with life itself, we prepare for each season differently and this particular winter was no exception. Bundling up to fight against the cold and brutality, we don our parka's, pull on our weatherproof boots and mittens, fasten the straps to our ridiculous looking caps and head out to face the elements. If prepared, we can face anything. I choose to be prepared. While my winter season is not yet upon me, I, along with my Lord and Savior will face it with determined enthusiasm! Oh boy! I didn't mean to get all philosophical! In fact, I'm enjoying this 'fall' season just fine and plan to do so for many years to come! Gotta say though, it's challenging, and can be somewhat tiring. Battling the bulge, disguising the gray hairs, tackling the bad knee with replacement, covering the age spots, confusing the person in the mirror with my mom, and the list goes on! For the serious minded, this can be devastating...for the not so serious minded, it has a comical side too it,...one must keep from fixating on these apparent appearances of the aging process or go totally beserk! Sometimes I laugh so hard I cry! No matter what lies ahead (and my hope is in heaven!) I know one thing for certain: Isaiah 46:4 "I will be your God through all your lifetime, yes, even when your hair is white with age. I made you and I will care for you. I will carry you along and be your Savior." I'm not old, I'm just a little worn around the edges! I still believe in love, I believe I can do all things through Christ, I believe I still have the capability to bless others, I believe there is blue sky above, even when my days are cloudy, I believe I still have purpose, I believe I am the apple of His eye and what could be more marvelous than that! "White hair is a crown of glory and is seen most among the godly"...Proverbs 16:31.....perhaps I shall forego the coloring this month!