Growing up I always remember when my mother would have a really bad day she would say, "Well, now I have to give someone a gift." Over the years I have learned that when we have reached a really hard spot in life, if we give someone a gift somehow it takes the sting of our pain away.
Our sweet Dapper who we have had for about ten years now might not pull through.
It seems to hurt alot because Dapper represents such a sweet chapter for all of us.
A carefree time when the girls were young, always at the barn, riding lessons and me a stay-at-home mom and loving each moment.
Empty nest is on my horizon, my girls are twenty and almost eighteen. Ashley graduates this year and she is already so independent. Seeing Dapper today was like saying goodbye to not just him but saying goodbye to such a lovely chapter. When God closes one door he will open up another.
I came home and said well I will do what my mother would do. I would like to give away a gift of a journal page with your choice of quote or scripture. Not one, but anyone who leaves a comment will receive this gift. The print measures 5 x 7 and you can rest it on a little easel or pop it into a frame. With each gift I will create I know my heart will heal a little.
I think I will just need a few days to put everything in order for Sarah and Ashley and sweet Dapper, and then I will contact each one of you and ask you what your favorite quote or scripture is, and create it for you. When my mom used to give gifts when she had those bad days, I think it helped because when we feel pain our heart hurts. When we give love to someone our heart fills up with that kind of love that only God creates.
It is my pleasure. Please pray for my Dapper. I told him when he gets to heaven to look for my twinks. Twinkles was my little dog that we had to say goodbye to eight years ago. I can just see them running together now in God's secret garden. All whole and pain free. The song for this post is Song From A Secret Garden.
Blessings,
Karen
What a beautiful talent and so kind of you to share.. I just found your blog and I can't wait for more time to peruse each post. Hugs, Cindy
We were in the same vibe today. A colleague of my husband has a small son who enjoys playing with Brio, a swedish wooden train system, very much. Our son did too, but he is almost 13 now and never plays with it. So today I was gathering all rails and all buildings, bridges and funny accessorees and thinking of every occasion that my son bought something or was given something. He used to play so nice, a joy to look at. He is only 12 and yet that is all over. I felt a little sad, but I'm giving away something too! Thanks for inspiration, thanks for sharing and thanks for listening to me, I'm feeling a little better already!
Oh my Dear, I'm so sorry for all of you, at this time of parting.
Gentle hugs,
Aunt Amelia
"It's all right for a woman to be, above all, human. I am a woman first of all." ~Anais Nin
I would be blessed beyond measure to receive such a gift. What an amazing thing your dear mother did and what an example she set.
Yes, I will tuck Dapper into my prayers. I know that what is dear to you is dear to the heart of God, too.
Karen,
I have never read a post with such a big lump in my throat. You just touched me on so many levels this time. I am an incurable animal lover so my heart of course goes out to Dapper. But this wonderful creature also represents so much more to you, a time when your girls were young and your own heart and soul was young. I think as we see our children growing up and leaving us, we feel our own sense of innocent spirit also leaving. Where these children once filled our hearts, there is now an empty place. It seems more than coincidental that my youngest daughter will turn 18 next month & is leaving for college in the fall, and my other daughter is 21. I think we are very much on the same page.
Your mother was very wise. At first I didn't understand what she meant by giving a gift when you feel pain, but I now remember reading advice from a finance counselor to a couple riddled in debt. After paying this and paying that, they were to give 10% of their monthly income to a charity of their choice. Why, you ask? Well your mother had the answer!
I would be so honored to receive one of your journal pages. The quote you have on the page in your blog would be lovely. But most of all I want you to know I will keep you and sweet Dapper in my thoughts and prayers.
Gosh, I am so sorry I have rambled on. I am such a softie. You have just touched me so many times with your honesty and open heart. I am so grategul I have met you Karen.
Much love,
Janie
Oh Karen, I will pray for Dapper. Oh my goodness, I feel so sad. I believe in miracles and the power of prayer~I will be praying for all of you during this difficult time. Bless you sweet friend, Sharon
I still miss my furry best friend, even though Storm passed 1 1/2 yrs. ago. It just doesn't seem possible as the pain is as fresh as if it were yesterday.
It's funny but I've been thinking of white horses a lot lately. I was doing a study about Jesus returning to Earth as King and it was mentioned that He will return on a horse, as will the saints with Him.
Then I realized God must place a high value on horses. :)
I pray for and your beloved best friend.
Oh my! I am so sorry that you're in pain right now. I love my dog so much and cannot imagine a day without him too. Please know that I will be saying a special prayer for Dapper and your family.
~kind hugs from afar~
Carol
Karen, I'm so sorry! When he makes it to the other side, maybe he will look up my Pepper, the dog I lost three years ago this month. That first photo is stunning, by the way. Simply stunning. I love your mother's way of thinking. The glass, obviously, was half full for her.
Brenda
Oh my gosh, I came by to comment on the beautiful peonies and then saw this most recent post. It made me cry! What an amazing mother you had. What a wonderful idea to help you cope with your grief. What a sweet picture, of your horse and your dog running in the fields together!
Life is full of refining moments for us all. When I have had a particularly difficult time, I have offered prayers for a strong back so that I might carry the challenge or burden that was mine to carry/experience. Although it may seem overwhelming right now, there is a bright light on the other end of the tunnel. Keep walking....
Hello there my dear sweet friend...I have just read about your dear Dapper and want you to know that I hold him in my prayers along with you and your family. Our pets are such a dear part of our lives. I myself had a dalmation that got very sick. We lost him to the "Beautiful "Rainbow Bridge" about 4 years ago. I still miss him immensely, Karen. He was such a special part of my life!!! Just know that you have so many people that care about you and will give you all the support and love that you need during this difficult time. I for one will be right here for you anytime!!!
Love and hugs to you my dearest friend.....Sally
Sally
{{{{{{{{{{Karen}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Empty nest is such a struggle, I am there and it just plain hurts! I can't even imagine being compounded by the double loss of Dapple! But God tells us that a generous spirit brings blessings."Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." God's economy is a marvelous thing that we might all learn from! I ray not only for you and your dear, Dapple, but that each person who receives will be blessed beynd measure through your generous acts. Your huge heart is very precious to everyone who has come to know you through our blog!
Good Morning, dear Karen!
I'm so sorry about your pain.
I'll pray for Dapper,
and for you and your family.
Very inspiring is your post. I love your words about your mother, and I love your mom's idea about "giving someone a gift" during my bad day.
How beautiful gift You Are!
And I'd like to tell you - all photos you put here are amazing!
I love your gift - lovely gesture;
and your quote is perfect.
God bless!
Hello Karen,
You know that my thoughts are with all of you and your lovely horse Dapper.
~ Gabriela ~
I came across your blog when looking at Thankful Thursday. So Sorry to hear of your Dapper and the pain you and your family are going through. Our pets mean the world to us and it hurts so much when they get to their time to pass over. It is truly the hardest to endure -- we had a little dog that lived to be 2 days short of his 17th birthday and it was so hard to say good-bye. So many memories. God Bless your family at this time. Karyl(Carol)
Dear Karen, You have me in tears. Just when I thought my day wasn't all that great, I know it is really not that bad. Oh how I love animals. Your Dapper is a beautiful boy, and I will surely pray for him today. Maybe your gift to me, was giving me the real good cry I needed. I am sure that no matter the situation, God gives us the strength to go on. Thank you Karen, thank you so much, hugs, Kathleen
Dearest Karen, I am so sorry about Dapper. Anyone who has ever been around big animals knows how very special they are. I know how difficult it is to see empty nest looming as well. Dapper's passing seems so symbolic. I'll be praying for Dapper, for you, and for your daughters! Kathy
You are AWESOME & BEAUTIFUL! Dapper is definitely in my prayers and so are you! i am sure that Dapper will easily find your Twinks!!
it would be so WONDERFUL to receive this gift from you! Your mother sounds like an absolutely LOVELY person to teach you such an AWESOME lesson! big HUGS to you!
Karen,
I am so sorry for this. I stopped and prayed and I let the tears flow. Our Lord knows how much the loss of something so special means to us. I also have an empty nest after raising four children and helping to care for my friend's 3 childern. So lots of days there were seven children in my house. I so miss the sounds of life they made. I will pray...m.
Karen,
You and Dapper are in my prayers. Animals bring so much joy into our lives, I hope you remember the good times and you both find the peace you wish for.
The tears are clouding my eyes.
You have already given me a gift.
God bless, Love, Peggy
The kind eyes of Dapper show through in your wonderful photographs; I am sorry that he not doing well and that you are in pain at this time, thinking that he is sick....the photo of your two litle girls, 10 years ago, shows the happiness that this 4-hooved friend brought to their lives, and to yours. If we love animals, we do so knowing that they will rarely outlast our lifespans and yet we love them even knowing they will reach the Rainbow Bridge. I feel that our comfort can be that we are with them at that moment.
I have always been touched by your beautiful giving spirit, allowing us to share in your creative art, giving it out to the world from this blog, downloading as we wish, to put into our journal, or tape on our wall. It seems to me that you have ALWAYS shown your mother's generosity of giving of yourself. It blesses a good day, and softens the bad one. I would be so honored to receive one of your journal pages. Please know that I am thinking of you and Dapper at this difficult time.
Thank you for your inspirational pages.
Great post…………! So much information good to know. Have a blessed weekend!
I pray that you and your family will be comforted at this very difficult, painful time. I know I was devistated when my cat Charlie passed away, it severely broke my heart. I will pray for Dapper and your family too.
I would be honoured to receive one of your beautiful journal pages.
I find such serenity, and comfort visiting your blog.
Jacquelene L.
Toronto, Canada
Hi, my sweet blog friend,
I have read with sadness about the loss of your beautiful horse. Please except my prayers and thoughts.
You don't have to send me anything as I know I am so far away it would be difficult.
Your mother sounds like an inspirational person. I am going to remember her words about giving when life is tough.
May God bless you and your girls in your grief,
Kate
No gift necessary - I am late reading this post but am so sorry to hear about your beautiful Dapper. What a wise mother you had and what a blessing to have had this sweet animal in your family.
Robin@Miscellaneous Thoughts
I just seemed to pass by your window today and heard your voice. As an older mom, I know the bittersweet place you have found yourself. I pray that your adult friendship with your daughters will be so very satisfying.
Thank you for the gift of your Mom's wisdom. It is enough.
Blessings,
Elaine
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