A Sunday in January

Here's a post I started a few weeks ago...in January.


After church for the next few weeks (well, not next week, since there's our annual congregational meeting), I'm going to a discussion at church called "Death: The Elephant in the Church." I thought it would be a good thing to attend. The moderator wondered if the discussion would be too tender for me. In some ways, it is, but I think it's good I'm going. Today was a little hard, since we're coming upon the third anniversary of John's death. The class was held in the lounge, which has windows that look upon the courtyard in which half of John's ashes are interred. But it was okay. It's a good discussion group, and I'm with my church family.

Today, we heard reports from various people about traditions surrounding death in different faiths. It was very interesting. Some very comforting traditions, though I think what I currently hold as beliefs are comfort enough. No matter what, I'm going to miss John. Horribly. Yet sometimes, I feel like he's just around the corner out of view but taking care of me, anyway.

So...after I left the church I came home and cuddled with Elvis. I felt like I'd neglected him a lot this week, since I'd worked extra hours for a project I have every year at this time. Though one of the nights I was there, I brought him with me. He got pretty bored, but eventually settled down for a little nap at my feet.

We've been slugs most of the afternoon...and I decided I wanted to get out for a bit. Take Elvis for a walk? Naw, it's pretty cold outside. Let's go for a ride.

So Elvis and I took a little ride around the west side of town. He loves going with his mommy in the car, and is usually quite well-behaved when he's in the car. Past beagles I've had (Max and Abbey, in particular) did not like car rides. Elvis (like Mo before him) LOVES them. But the weather was starting to turn. Thin veils of snow blowing across the road are pretty, but I decided it was time to go back home.

Elvis is now fast asleep, and I will soon join him. Thankful for a warm home, warm blankets, warm pajamas, and a warm beagle.

Trying to decide right now whether to take Tuesday off or whether work would be a good distraction from the fact it's January 19. We'll see.