Yesterday we said farewell to our sweet Lucy. Although TJ is deployed oveseas, it has been a heavy burden on both of our hearts to see her health decline so rapidly.
My in-laws have been a blessing, watching over both of our girls while TJ has been gone. They willingly gave Lucy the full-time care that she needed (especially going above and beyond with lifting and carrying her everywhere when she couldnt walk anymore) which would have been next to impossible for me to do alone while caring for baby Thomas.
We are so thankfull for their sacrifices. I'll never forget when I found out that for months, my Mother-in-law had been sleeping on the couch downstairs (while my Father-in-law was working nights) because she didn't want Lucy to be alone and she couldn't carry her by herself upstairs to the bedroom. That's only part of their sacrifices and I know there is so much more, much which I may never know because they have never complained. They too loved Lucy so much.
My heart also aches for TJ who is far from home and didn't get to say his goodbye in person. I know he would have wished to do that, but his concern for Lucy's well being and comfort was put before his own wishes. I am so proud of him, I know this isn't easy.
What a sweet dog our Lucy has been. I will never forget the day we found her...it was on TJ's birthday four years ago. There was a terrible storm and it was raining heavily. We were headed to the airport and as we approached the on ramp to the interstate, we saw her. She was frantically zig zagging headed towards the highway. We did the only thing we could do, rescue her!
It took some great driving by TJ to get around cars suddenly stopping and swerving to miss our dear sweet girl but once TJ opened the back door and yelled for her to get in, she did as told.
That was our first time meeting Lucy, dripping wet she gave us slobbery kisses all the way to the airport. I missed my flight but it didn't matter, it was the beginning of a wonderful friendship for us all.
The day we met was very stormy but the day we said goodbye was sunny and beautiful. My emotions could not be held in as we turned to leave our sweet girl. As we walked outside, I felt overcome by my sadness and could not hold back my tears. But in the midst of my grief, a large butterfly suddenly appeared and flew close by my face and I stopped crying as it caught my attention and then it flew up into the sky away from my view. My Mother-in-law said, "You know what they say about butterflies?" No, I didn't and I asked her what she meant. Her answer gave me comfort.
I found her words interesting and had no idea about the symbolism of a butterfly and death. How the butterfly symbolizes a loved one departing and communicating that they are okay and have gone to the other side. It was very befitting.
We were so blessed to have Lucy as part of our family for she truly is a very beloved member who will always hold a special place in our hearts. She was a good girl, our Lucy.
