Valentine's Day: Celebrating grace...

Valentine's Day has never been a big deal around here... both Asia and I sort of rebel against the whole 'Hallmark' holiday thing... that just because someone's marketing 'love' doesn't mean we have to buy into it. We love each other 365 days a year...

But - I am acutely aware of Love today...

This week I have experienced love at a really core level as we have grieved.

Here are just a few ways I've received grace this week...

1. On Monday, I received flowers and a plate of banana bread from one girlfriend, and a whole loaf of banana bread from another. (Note to self: bring banana bread when someone loses a pet... it's just the right thing.)
2. We got a sympathy card from the pet emergency clinic with a handwritten note. They didn't have to do that. But it was very sweet. I realize they send that to everyone who has to put their pet down... but I felt cared for and appreciated it very much.
3. I needed to sweep the kitchen floor on Tuesday... usually when I sweep the pile I end up with is about 80% dog hair. On Tuesday, there was NO hair in the pile. She'd only been gone since Sunday. And I hadn't swept since she died. I think it was divine intervention - because I was dreading seeing her hair and there simply wasn't ANY.
4. On the same note, my clothes have been dog-hair free all week. Not usually the case. But there haven't been any visual reminders in the form of little red hairs on me at all. That's ridiculous, because normally I was pulling off multiple hairs a day. I call that a miracle of grace.
5. Tears. Tears are God's grace in liquid form. What a blessed release it is to just cry...
6. Work. Our topic at Weight Watcher's meetings this week is emotional eating. What a ridiculous 'coincidence.' I've been honored to share my story and my reactions to my grief... the fact that over the years I've learned how eating to bury emotions is NOT a long term solution and that there are better alternatives to dealing with them... I'm proud to say I'm healthier now than I ever have been (emotionally and physically) and that there is no binge-eating taking place. That would not have been the case in my past. I'm proud I can tell my story and that my choices can give hope and inspiration to the roughly 350 members I see each week. It's such a privilege to walk the walk with these brave people who are striving to change their lives.
7. Text messages. Facebook messages. LOTS of condolences. It means the world...
8. Asia. He has been so sweet. He's naturally quite stoic. But this week there has been a tenderness that's touched me deeply. He came home Tuesday and said "I feel like I do okay most of the time but four or five times a day I feel like someone punched me in the gut..." Oh  honey... I know just how you feel.
9. Sweet little moments here and there... remembering... talking with the kids... looking through all our pictures... we were so blessed by our sweet girl. It's good to talk about it.
10. Hugs. I've gotten so many long, sweet, heartfelt hugs this week. Gosh - there are a lot of people who can relate to the loss of a pet. Those hugs take away the feelings that it's silly to be so sad over a dog... anyone who's lost one just knows... and those hugs are both comforting and affirming. If you've given me one this week, thank you. From the bottom of my heart. I'm not usually much of a hugger... but this week, I've needed each and every one.

Happy Valentine's Day, friends. Smooch you all.